KARACHI: Street crime is on the rise in the metropolis, especially in markets, as criminal elements are getting strength due to delay in special policing powers to the Rangers in the city, claimed a traders’ body’s leader. He said the provincial government should immediately approve extension in Rangers power and extend their limit to entire Sindh province. All Pakistan Organisation of Small Traders and Cottage Industry (APOST&CI) Karachi chapter President Mehmood Hamid said that remerging of crime in the city is a worrisome development. He said after the actions of Rangers, crime was controlled in the city and extortion was also reduced to a large extent adding that traders, especially small traders have heaved a sigh of relief, but now street criminals are again regrouping due to inordinate delay in giving special powers to the Rangers. Hehmood Hamid said the Rangers have been doing a very good job and their sacrifices should not be wasted adding that the improvement in law and order is not only in the interest of citizens and traders but also of political parties. He said action against criminals is must to make Karachi a city of peace and tranquility adding that the duration of Rangers special powers should be increased to avoid these delays. While talking about the cleanliness situation in markets, he said the recent three-day ultimatum failed to make markets of city clean. He said many markets including Urdu Bazaar have become a big Katchra Kundis. The drains are chocked in many areas of the city and uncollected garbage is either burnt in streets or thrown into the nullahs and drains, he said. He said sustained efforts are required to improve sanitary conditions of the entire city without any discrimination adding that special attention should be given to congested old city areas and slums where people are deprived of basic facilities of life. He said the entire Sindh including Karachi awaits good governance. Hamid said that the trader community is happy about the recent political changes in Sindh province adding that these changes were overdue for a long time but the ruling party of Sindh was not taking brave decisions due to its inbuilt political inertia. He said it needs new thinking to solve the lingering issues of people adding that our political parties should introduce a new culture of serving people. It is necessary to focus on the basic issues of people and this could be done when the culture of corruption and kickbacks is ended for good, he said. He demanded to pay close attention to the issue of street crime in metropolis and ensure better policing in commercial areas and bazaars in coordination with the trade bodies. He said the small traders of Karachi would fully cooperate in this regard, as a crime-free Karachi is in the interest of all stakeholders.