KARACHI - Complete shutterdown strike was observed in the metropolis on Wednesday against extortion, target killing, and kidnapping for ransom of traders and men from business community of the metropolis.The Karachi Tajjir Ittehad (Karachi Traders Alliance) called for a strike in protest against the murder of Karar Ali, brother of MQM’s ex-MPA Syed Shakir Ali, who was killed by the extortion mafia in Sher Shah scrap market and killing of businessmen and shopkeepers by the extortionists.The call of strike was also supported by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Sunni Tehreek (ST), several trade bodies, Karachi Transporters Ittehad and several other organisations. They demanded protection of the businessmen and traders of the metropolis from the extortion mafia. The City presented the deserted look during the strike call, given by the Karachi traders’ community and politico-religious parties over government’s failure to control the gangsters of extortion mafia in the metropolis. All the business centres, shops, markets, petrol pumps, CNG stations remained closed beside the public transport also remained off the roads.The City’s usual busy and over-crowded hubs — including Tower, Kharadar, Joria Bazaar, Pan Mandi, Boulton Market, Jamia Cloth, Joona Market, Medicine Market, Kapra Market, Saddar, electronics markets and other busy areas were all deserted.Very thin attendance witnessed in the government offices, banks, stock exchange, educational institutions and hospitals owing to the absence of public and private transport from the main streets of Karachi.Most of the examinations in Karachi were postponed due to strike called by the traders against the killing and extortion attempts in the metropolis.Later on Wednesday evening, All Karachi Traders Alliance has called to end strike and urged the shopkeepers and market owners to resume their business activities.Karachi Traders Alliance Chairman Atiq Mir warned that if they are not given protection against the Bhatta Mafia, they will strike further for an indefinite period. They warned the government to take immediate measures for protection of traders and business community.He informed that in last three months, around 20 traders have been gunned down while more than 15 have been abducted for ransom. Is there any law enforcement agency existed in the City in all such grim circumstances, he questioned.He lamented that government’s commitment was now just restricted to mere statements with no practical implementation. He threatened that the traders will go on indefinite strike if adequate protection was not provided to them in next 72 hours.Atiq Mir said that country suffered a loss of approximately Rs3.15 billion rupees in a single day of strike in Karachi that was unavoidable and government should adopt drastic steps on immediate basis to overcome the loss.However, West Zone DIG Naeem Borkha told media that the police did not yet have any evidence that the murder was about extortion. “There are complaints of extortion in Sher Shah market but not every case can be related to them,” DIG Borkha said. But he suspended the Jahanabad police post in charge and six other policemen for not responding to the matter in time.There are around 4,500 shops and godowns in Sher Shah scrap market. Receiving extortion slips and threats is a matter of routine for the traders. Recently, the traders have been under immense pressure from the extortionists. According to Citizens Police Liaison Committee, 26 traders have been murdered and 25 kidnapped in current year.

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