PESHAWAR, May 19: Industrialists of the Hayatabad Industrial Estate on Saturday expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the area and threatened to withdraw investments, if the government failed to provide security to them.

During their separate meetings with NWFP Governor Ali Mohammad Jan Aurkazai and Chief Minister Mohammad Akram Khan Durrani, they told them that the law and order situation in the industrial area was worsening with each passing day.

The industrialists’ delegation comprised president of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Liaqat Ahmad Khan, and Numan Wazir, Mohsin Aziz, Ghulam Sarwar Mohmand, Ghazenfar Bilour and Zahid Arif of the Peshawar Industrialists Association.

In a press release issued here, they said that the adjoining tribal area served as a hideout to criminal gangs who were behind the growing crimes taking place inside the industrial estate.

The delegation demanded that the construction of a wall around the industrial estate should immediately be started besides setting up police check posts at the entry and exit points of the estate.

Both the governor and the chief minister directed the authorities concerned to go after criminals hiding in the adjacent tribal belt of Khyber Agency without disturbing the tribes.

They assured the delegation that steps would be taken to ensure peace and security, especially in areas, situated along the tribal belt. They said a number of joint security posts had been set up for the purpose.