KARACHI, Dec 14: Leaders of two political parties in Karachi on Friday severely criticized police for unleashing harassment and excesses in the garb of checking against people when they are busy during in Eid shopping.

They said that there had been a hope that the new police force would help establish the writ of law and protect the citizens, but they had proved a major financial drain on

the meagre resources of the port city and were minting money, in collusion with the traffic police and other law enforcement agencies, from helpless citizens, by using official transport for which they paid from the national exchequer.

Chief of Jammat-e-Islami Karachi, Dr Merajul Huda Siddiqui, said the state of affairs was causing unrest and frustration among people. “it seems that police have launched their campaign to forcibly receive “Eidi” from the people. Youths appear to be their main victims,” he said.

He also slammed the introduction of the motorcycle police in Karachi which, he said, had only added to the miseries of the citizens.

“They have been pursuing a modus operandi of moving inside narrow streets and target youths, threatening them and forcing them to grease their palm,” he said.

Member Coordination Committee Muttehda Quami Movement, Saleem Shahzad, also denounced checking with no apparent reason.

“Police officials forcibly stop vehicles including public transports and offload women, youths and aged people to extract Eidi. On refusal they hurl threats of dire consequences” he said.

They appealed to Sindh governor Mohammedmian Soomro and IGP Sindh Syed Kamal Shah to take some practical steps to curb this unlawful exercise, enabling people to celebrate Eid in a tension- free environment.—PPI