ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on Saturday said the government has decided to start strict action against the criminal elements from Sunday to control the menace of extortion in Karachi.
Talking to media representatives, the minister said a proper strategy will be chalked out in a high level meeting to be held in Karachi to arrest all the criminals involved in extortion and other street crimes.
He said such steps are being taken on the direction of President Asif Ali Zardari who has taken serious notice of the complaints on the matter.
Malik said, “I will proceed to Karachi and coordinate with the provincial government in redressing the grievances of the public and traders, in particular against extortion.”
He said the biggest challenge for the government was targeted killings in Karachi which has been controlled to a great extent and now the government was committed to control extortionists as well.
He said Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will also be involved in tracing the owners of mobile phone numbers which are being used in criminal activities in Karachi.
The minister said that 31 extortionists have already been arrested while others would be arrested soon. He added that the government will seek support of all political parties while the concept of community policing, which was launched in Karachi, will also be reviewed.
He said Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain had brought to the attention of the president the complaints of extortion in Karachi.
He termed this demand genuine saying MQM had raised this issue on receiving several complaints from citizens, on which the president had assured Mr Hussain to address the issue.
Malik said Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) respects its coalition partners and will redress the concerns of the MQM particularly extortion in Karachi.
