Karachi businessmen look to army for sustainable peace

• Lt Gen Mukhtar highlights overall progress of targeted operation, appreciates KCCI’s suggestions on maintaining long lasting peace, stability, infrastructure, administration, business and industrial climate

Exchanging views during a meeting with an 11-member delegation of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) led by former KCCI president and Businessmen Group Chairman Siraj Kassam Teli, Karachi Corps Commander Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar appreciated the comprehensive discussions and KCCI’s suggestions towards maintaining long lasting peace, stability, infrastructure, administration, business and industrial climate of Karachi.

Besides Siraj Teli, KCCI delegation comprised BMG vice chairmen and former presidents, Tahir Khaliq, Zubair Motiwala, Haroon Farooki and Anjum Nisar, KCCI President Iftikhar Ahmed Vohra, KCCI Vice President Agha Shahab Ahmed Khan, Former vice president and KCCI Special Committee for Small Traders Chairman Abdul Majeed Memon, former KCCI president AQ Khalil, former KCCI vice president Muhammad Idrees and former KCCI SVP and Site Association of Industry Chairman Jawed Bilwani.

The meeting, which lasted for more than two hours, extensively discussed across-the-board issues which were being suffered by the entire business and industrial community and Karachiites.

The KCCI delegation expressed deep concern over issues pertaining to poor administration, dilapidated infrastructure, water, gas and electricity shortages, severe traffic jams, rising encroachments in different localities, inability of police to deal with several issues, underperformance of industrial units and other similar issues.

The delegation briefed the V Corps commander about the negative impact of insecurity on the economic performance of the city which has been contributing more than 65 percent revenue to the national exchequer.

The V Corps commander highlighted the overall progress and achievements of the ongoing targeted operation in Karachi under the supervision of Pakistan Rangers Sindh. He also briefed the KCCI delegation about the working, operation and coordination of intelligence agencies for effectively acting against the elements of extortion mafia, target killers, kidnappers, banned militant outfits and other criminals.

Lt Gen Mukhtar expressed his resolve to restore complete peace and stability in Karachi. He also enquired about the business climate and sought KCCI’s suggestions for the revival of the economy, as the uncertain situation has terribly sabotaged the image of Karachi.

While welcoming KCCI’s feedback on various issues, he acknowledged the vibrant role being played by the Karachi chamber in effectively highlighting the issues of Karachi. He was of the view that the genuine representatives of the business and industrial community should also be regularly invited to participate in meetings being held from time to time to discuss and review the law and order situation and other issues of Karachi.

Speaking on the occasion, BMG Chairman Siraj Teli underscored the need to completely cleanse the police department from those officers who have been appointed on the basis of their political affiliations.

Teli also stressed the need to eradicate dozens of politically affiliated and ghost employees who are responsible for the poor performance of various civic utilities departments including Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC), Karachi Water & Sewerage Board (KW&SB) and Fire Department etc.