Karachi Traders Raise Alarm Over Extortion as Police Verify 44 Cases and Target Suspects Linked to Iran

Overview

• Sindh Police report 118 extortion complaints this year, with 44 deemed genuine and 39 solved for an 87% clearance rate; 78 suspects were identified, 43 arrested and five killed in encounters.
• IG Ghulam Nabi Memon vows full protection for commerce and praises trader-installed CCTV, with police saying four extortionists were gunned down after recent meetings with business leaders.
• Investigators link 12 verified cases to the Wasiullah Lakho, Samad Kathiawari and Jamil Changa groups, with leaders reportedly operating from Iran and paperwork for red notices completed.
• The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry issued an advisory after members received extortion slips accompanied by live bullets, underscoring shaken business confidence.
• Trade bodies KATI and All City Traders Ittehad report 96 cases and identify Korangi and District Central as hotspots, urging coordinated action by the Sindh government, police and Rangers.