KARACHI, Jan 16: Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfikar Ali Mirza on Friday issued instructions for the deployment of efficient police officials and personnel in all the industrial zones and busy markets, besides intensified police patrolling to provide security to the business community and maintain a congenial environment for them.

The minister directed police to take practical steps and maintain liaison by holding regular meetings with office-bearers of the Karachi Chambers of Commerce and Industry and representative organisations of business centres, jewellery markets and Sabzi Mandi in this regard.

He said that a coordinated police action must be ensured against extortionists and those sending threatening notes to the business community. He made it clear that no excuse in the initiation of an effective action against anti-social elements, extortionists and those responsible for causing damage to the national economy would be tolerated. Officials would have to face not only department inquiry but strict legal action for showing negligence, he added.

The minister issued these instructions while taking notice of reports appearing in a section of the press which said that extortionists had become active in the city by handing threatening notes to traders and businessmen in Sabzi Mandi, Kharadar, Mithadar and Saddar.—APP