President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh, has voiced serious concerns over the escalating incidents of target killings in Karachi. He has appealed to the Prime Minister, Chief of Army Staff, Chief Minister of Sindh, and Interior Minister to urgently address the deteriorating law and order situation. Sheikh warned that the ongoing violence could drive away investment from the country’s largest city and exacerbate the already struggling economy. Highlighting the recent daylight murder of AsifSulemanBilwani in Defense Phase II, Sheikh stated that Karachi is once again grappling with severe lawlessness. He noted that the daily murders of businessmen, industrialists, students, and common citizens raise critical questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies, particularly the police and rangers responsible for maintaining order.
According to Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) data, 163 people were murdered in Karachi from February to April 2024. This number has likely increased due to additional target killings in May and early June. Sheikh emphasized that the escalating violence has created significant anxiety among the business community and citizens, who feel increasingly unsafe conducting business or commuting in Karachi. Sheikh urged the government to take stringent measures, including holding area police officials accountable for target killings through strict disciplinary actions and denying postings in sensitive areas if they fail to swiftly apprehend culprits.
He also called for a reassessment of the heavy deployment of police for the security of ministers, bureaucrats, and high-ranking officials, which leaves fewer officers available for public protection. The KCCI president reiterated the Chamber’s pressure from its members to convene a general body meeting to address the rising lawlessness and persuade the government to implement remedial measures.
He appealed to Chief Minister Sindh, Murad Ali Shah, to urgently convene a meeting with law enforcement heads and business community representatives to develop effective strategies for improving Karachi’s law and order situation. “Given the severity of the situation, we hope the government will prioritize restoring peace in Karachi to ensure the city continues to play a leading role in economic development,” Sheikh said.
