Builders allege intimidation by ‘foreign gangs’ amid surge in extortion cases in Karachi

• Abad says its members are receiving calls from Iran‑ and UAE‑based numbers, demanding up to Rs 50 million in ‘protection money’
• Says at least 10 builders have formally reported threats
• Warns of shutdown from Jan 15 if govt fails to rein in criminal elements
• Association’s patron seeks army chief’s intervention

KARACHI: The country’s real‑estate developers on Wednesday alleged that the city’s business community has been facing an unprecedented rise in extortion and harassment cases from organised criminal gangs, and warned that they will shut down their business activity after January 15, 2026, if authorities fail to curb the unchecked reign of fear gripping the city.

The warning by the Association of Builders and Developers (Abad) came only two months after the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (Kati) and All City Traders Ittehad Association had

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