Extortion on the rise in Karachi during July

KARACHI: There has been a sudden rise during the month of July in extortion and other criminal activity in the metropolis.

Eighteen traders/businessmen were kidnapped for ransom or to obtain extortion money. 220 business owners received messages through written notes, calls or MMS from extortionists while millions of rupees were received from factory owners, vendors and other businessmen as extortion money.

Despite the deteriorating situation, no major breakthrough was reported by the law enforcement agencies and concerned authorities.

Meanwhile the number of casualties in the last 17 days of July in Karachi is 109 while the total toll has exceeded 1000 in the year 2012 so far.

Fifty-two policemen were gunned down in the past six months while traders and businessmen were also targeted by the extortionist and target killers.