Extortion culture

Extortion business is not new in Karachi, the provincial metropolis and economic hub of the country. Everyone including traders, shopkeepers, businessman and even professionals speak openly about extortion culture.

There is no other way to run the business except paying money to extortionists. The results are well known and quite terrifying who refuse to cooperate with such elements.

The more frightening fact is that political parties from across the province appear to have become involved in the extortion business. They use it almost as a kind of officially-sanctioned sideline business.

Over the past few years, this trend has become stronger and stronger. Almost every political party has shared some involvement in the row. The offences are obviously highly worrying but question is that how can we expect political leaders to safeguard the law of the land.

If political figures cannot keep themselves away from unlawful practices, the rule of law is quickly breaking down anywhere in the country.

Indeed, the ability to overcome the extortion culture and place any kind of check on extortionists has absolutely mislaid due to role played by the traditional politicians.

One cannot do anything except witnessing rhetoric and gestures of numerous kinds including protest demonstrations by the traders and political activists.

Among many steps one is that all the political parties should purge their ranks of the black sheep involved in the cruel business.

What no one is considering is that the future of the country’s economic and financial hub is at risk. The situation will keep becoming worse and worse if this does not happen. With every passing day, the demands of extortionists are increasing while actions are getting bolder.

What one can anticipate in terms of services from political parties which have lost all principles and the capability to work within rules for the benefit of masses? This straightforward sense of what is correct has worn-out completely.

The law enforcement agencies, in order to make the situation worse, have been profoundly been politicized making things more difficult for those who want to eliminate extortion culture, which is hurriedly destroying our business capital.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=16838

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Mar 23 2012. Filed under Opinion, Pakistan, Society. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.