Ramp up security for Ramadan: Karachi’s industrial titans sound alarm
KARACHI, Pakistan — Eminent Karachi industrialists have urged the Sindh government and police to develop a security plan for Ramadan, similar to Muharram, to combat street crime. They stated that the closure of a large number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the four-day working week in large-scale manufacturing industries (LSMIs), caused by the higher cost of energy and other expenses over the past two years, had resulted in the unemployment of approximately 60% of workers. They called for increased patrolling and snap checks to prevent criminal activity before Ramadan. The crime rate is alarmingly high, with a 15% increase annually. The industrialists emphasized that the crime rate could not be controlled until the Karachi Safe City project was implemented and cutting-edge surveillance cameras were installed on the streets. "In addition to police, traffic wardens in the city must be trained, and a foolproof security plan for Ramadan must be developed, as approximately 60% of workers are unemployed, and the law-and-order situation may worsen," Pakistan Business Group Founder and Chairman Farazur Rehman told the press. "Due to the energy crisis and other economic issues, many SMEs have closed completely, and LSMIs are only open four days a week. Daily wage earners are at their lowest point right now." He urged the Sindh government and the Sindh Inspector General of Police to ensure a security plan for Ramadan, or there could be severe law and order issues. He believed that billions of rupees in subsidies, Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) cards, and health cards were insufficient. The government needed to develop an industrial policy to promote industrialization and eliminate unemployment and poverty. According to Abdul Hadi, Chairman of the Site Association of Industry (SAI) Law and Order Committee, there is a 15% increase in street crimes each year. If this trend continues, a law-and-order situation may be similar to 2012-13. He stated that there were numerous reasons for street crime, including rising unemployment, a massive influx of people from other provinces, encroachments, and deteriorating road infrastructure. He pleaded for preemptive action against those who steal people’s valuables.