Karachi should not be handed over to Army as it will not resolve the problem but add to it: President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry

Islamabad, August 30, 2013 (PPI-OT): President FPCCI Zubair Ahmed Malik on Friday said Karachi shouldn’t be handed over to Army as it will not resolve the problem but add to it.

Capacity of civilian law enforcing and intelligence departments should be enhanced to contain dwindling law and order situation in Karachi which has been casting a negative shadow on the investment climate, he said.

Speaking to the business community, he expressed reservations over their prolonged stay of the Civilian Armed Forces (CAF) in cities for police duties which is not their job.

Zubair Ahmed Malik said that the role of CAF should be gradually reduced so that they can discharge their primary responsibility of guarding the international borders during peace.

Engagement of CAF in cities has left borders vulnerable which has emerged as a golden opportunity to the smugglers, anti-state elements and terrorists, he observed.

The FPCCI chief said that resolution of problem lies in zero tolerance for those who have been playing with the lives and property of innocent masses and the business community which indicates failure of the civil administration.

Malik said that failure of civil administration in restoring law and order is unfortunate but it cannot be used as a justification to call the Army which is already engaged on various important fronts.

He lauded the personal interest of the Chief Justice Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry in restoring peace in Karachi which will have a very positive impact on the overall situation and morale of the police.

Time has come for the Sindh government to take decisions keeping itself above the political considerations and give a free hand to the police and other law enforcers to eliminate the criminals from all parts of Karachi, he said.

He said that masses and business community of Karachi who are living in perpetual fear for decades deserve a better life. Pakistan will have to pay a very heavy price of inaction to improve situation in Karachi on the part of federal and provincial governments and opposition, warned Zubair Ahmed Malik.

For more information, contact:
M.A.Lodhi
Secretary General
Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI)
B-1, Federation House, Main Clifton Road,
Shahra-e-Firdousi,
Karachi-75600, Pakistan
Tel: 0092-21-35873691, 93-94
Fax: +9221 3587 4332
Email: info@fpcci.com.pk
URL: www.fpcci.com.pk