Extortionists Target Business Community Again in Karachi
Extortion activities targeting traders and business owners have resurfaced in Karachi, with at least four incidents reported over a ten-day period. The cases occurred in the Saddar, New Karachi, and North Karachi areas, where shopkeepers received extortion notes demanding payments of millions of rupees. Among the victims were the owners of a sweet shop, a cigarette stall, and an electronics store. Although the affected traders have filed official complaints and provided police with CCTV footage related to the incidents, no arrests have been made to date.
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Updated: 1:42 PM PKT — May 20, 2026
CCTV footage from one incident shows a man and a woman on a motorcycle delivering an extortion note to a shop. Fearing for their safety, affected shopkeepers specifically in the New Karachi area have now filed a formal complaint with the police.
Updated: 8:45 AM PKT — May 20, 2026
The extortion notes being delivered to traders are locally referred to as ‘parchi’. CCTV footage related to the incidents reportedly shows perpetrators on motorcycles delivering these threatening demands.
Updated: 7:24 AM PKT — May 20, 2026
A separate extortion demand for Rs 1 million has also been reported. In one instance, a threatening message sent to a shopkeeper warned, “My boys are behind you… if you act smart, I will shoot you.”
Updated: 3:29 AM PKT — May 20, 2026
Perpetrators have expanded their methods to include threatening audio messages sent to traders. A Lyari-based gang demanded Rs 2.5 million from an electronics market trader, and the Preedy area has also been identified as a new location for these extortion attempts.
