Karachi: Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Haq Lanjhar revealed on Thursday that extortion gangs in Karachi are now using children and unemployed individuals to carry out their operations. The gangs reportedly hire these people to collect intelligence and commit crimes.
Lanjhar said one extortion group was recently caught. He urged authorities not to hide such cases and emphasized that extortionists will not be spared. Police investigations show these gangs also involve images and information collection from under-construction buildings.
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The Home Minister discussed traffic improvements under the e-challan system, noting that road accidents and fatalities have decreased since its implementation. He mentioned measures including restrictions on port trailers and construction material transport during school hours, while ensuring water tankers remain operational.
Regarding policing, Lanjhar said Sindh has 21-grade officers, and appointments like the IG Sindh are coordinated with the federal government. He added that law enforcement has registered 172 extortion-related cases from 2024 to 2025, resolving 73 cases and arresting over 100 suspects. Six suspects were killed in police encounters, and 14 others were injured and arrested.
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The Home Minister stressed that Karachi’s authorities are committed to dismantling extortion networks. He said the gangs receive no protection and that children, unemployed individuals, and criminal elements being exploited will be safeguarded through strict law enforcement.