KARACHI: Traders have threatened the authorities of vigorous protests if police continues their “illegal” raids on confectionary and sweet supari businesses in the city. They also claimed the law enforcers are confiscating raw materials and finished items of the confectionary and sweet supari traders on the pretext of “gutka and mawa”.
The angry traders also accused police of taking bribery from the illicit businesses against immunity from raids. They urged the authorities to step up stopping the law enforcers from raids exemption to the illegal gutka businesses.
“Under the guise of checking narcotics, legitimate traders in sweets and confectionery are being harassed”, said Mahmood Hameed, President of All Pakistan Organization of Small Traders and Cottage Industries.
Traders will close down their businesses in protest if the police officers involved in “illegal arrests” are not reined in, he declared.
“Police excesses against the traders dealing in confectionery and sweets are escalating,” he said that the unlawful arrests and extortion are tarnishing the image of businesses operating within the realms of the law.
He condemned the arbitrary arrests of those transporting confectionery products, alleging that the sole purpose of seizing goods-laden vehicles under Section 54/550 and the Food Act is to harass traders into paying bribes. “Despite most vehicles seized by police being returned upon court orders, police continue to conduct unwarranted raids, claiming health concerns as justification,” he said.
Mehmood Hamid emphasized that the health standards for food items are determined by the Sindh Food Authority, not the police. Furthermore, he highlighted instances where police officials, often disguised in civilian attire, file false FIRs upon seizing goods, thus perpetuating harassment.
He also mentioned that complaints have been lodged and petitions filed against police authorities, but harassment continues unabated.
He accused the certain police stations including Mochko, Saeedabad and Clifton of persisting in harassment despite the return of confiscated goods by the courts.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2024