Security deteriorates, especially in Karachi, lament CEOs

KARACHI: The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) has approached Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan over the deteriorating law and order situation, especially in Karachi.

Referring to a recent survey conducted by the representative body of over 200 multinationals operating in Pakistan, the OICCI head told Mr Khan that 70 per cent of the CEOs polled reported security among the top three concerns for them versus 60pc a year ago.

The overall security situation has deteriorated notably in Karachi and Sindh, the survey said. “This is in contrast to the previous similar security surveys, which showed a constant improvement over the past seven years, especially in Karachi,” the survey said.

The OICCI conducted its annual security survey in May and June and polled as many as 115 members.

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The survey report said the recent high-profile incident involving Chinese expatriates appears to be one of the reasons for the growing security concern in Karachi.

“About half of the respondents felt that the security situation had some effect on their operations and associated businesses (suppliers/vendors and consumers) with 56pc of the respondents citing an increase in street crimes being faced by their employees,” it said.

The chamber urged law enforcement agencies and other government authorities responsible for promoting investment and business activities to strengthen the overall security environment while especially focusing on foreigners’ security and street crimes in the industrial cities of Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad.