The business community of the metropolis has opposed the Sindh government's ordinance according to which it will withdraw police security from commercial businesses as traders argue that the government should safeguard taxpayers' rights. Under the given situation where daytime robberies in commercial markets (for example shops in Sarrafa and Babar markets) as well as destruction of shops (as in the Boulton Market fire case), are on the rise, businessmen feel there is even more need of security in the metropolis.

"We severely condemn this move as not every entrepreneur can afford his security," said Abdul Majid Haji Mohammad, President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Businessmen also realised that in times of heavy cost of doing business it will be another burden. "This will also affect business costs of the businessmen already burdened by high expenses of utilities and inflation," said Majid. Mohammad Usman Sharif, President of the Traders Association of Marriot Road, whose markets were burnt in the Dec 28 arson attack, angrily said "if now we have to be responsible for our own property and lives, then what is the role of the government? If there is no electricity we are told to buy a generator, if there is no water we are directed to resort to bore wells, now we are being directed to make arrangements for our security too, what are the responsibilities of the state then?" he clamoured.

"If businesspeople have to do everything on their own then why should they pay taxes to the government," he shouted. The business community termed the decision an unpopular and unapproved measure for the stakeholders. Ateeq Mir, Chairman of Alliance of Market Associations, said the government did not bother to take businessmen into confidence on this ordinance despite the fact that traders have been targeted in the city by criminal elements.

"It is injustice with the taxpayers who pay taxes and support the government. How could the government think of this unpopular decision as far as the common man is concerned?" he asked. He said the question comes into mind, "Would this decision improve the services of police in the biggest city of the country?" It seems that police have no responsibility for citizens despite the fact that "our state spends earned money from tax payers on the security.

What is the use of 30,000 police personnel when traders and shopkeepers are insecure? he said. Mehmood Hamid, Karachi Division of All Pakistan Organisation of Small Traders and Cottage Industries President, said this ordinance will further increase the insecurity prevailing over the traders and shopkeepers of the city. "Why we pay taxes to the government which is depriving us of the basic right of security," he added. Haji Haroon Chand, All Sindh Saraf and Jewelers Association President, said if the Sindh government plans to hand over the security measures to us only then they should give us permission to use advanced and sophisticated weapons and issue licences to us so that traders can safeguard ourselves and their assets-cum-businesses.

He said while on one hand the police force is doing a good job similarly there are a good number of black sheep in the law enforcement agency who are involved in criminal activities. The recent incident of 15kg gold robbery from Sarafa bazaar in which police Sub-Inspector Abdul Sattar was found guilty of being involved in the crime having 2.5kg gold at his house. While the police department has its own reasons to curtail its responsibilities in the city, the demands and needs of businessmen are also not baseless.