RAWALPINDI: Extortion threats in the garrison city have increased, according to Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“During the last one week, six traders from Raja Bazaar and surrounding areas received ‘parchi’ (chits) demanding Rs1 million to Rs3 million from them, threatening that otherwise their family members will be kidnapped,” RCCI President Syed Asad Mashadi told Dawn. He said the threats are creating panic among traders who are afraid of revealing their names to media.

“City Police Officer (CPO) Hamyun Bashir Tarar said to wait for a couple of days but no action has been taken so far,” he said.

He demanded that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif take notice of the situation and warned that if not taken care of the situation in the city could become like Karachi’s. RCCI President said that Rawalpindi was a peaceful city but because of the incompetence of district administration and police, the crime rate is increasing every day.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2014