He expressed these views during a visit to Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI), here on Monday.

Rehman Malik said the offices of NADRA, Passport and Arms Licenses would be opened in the KCCI to facilitate its members in getting CNIC, Arms License and Passport.

He said the business community plays an important role in the economy of the country and their problems would be resolved on priority basis.

He said President Asif Ali Zardari and MQM Chief Altaf Hussain have also directed to initiate prompt action to resolve the problems of the business community. He said strict action would be taken on complaints of extortion from the traders in Karachi and in this regard, special police kiosks would be set up in Jodia Bazar, Sarrafa Bazar and cloth markets. Personnel of police, Rangers and Frontier Constabulary would be deployed in special kiosks, he added.

He said patrolling by the police and rangers would also be increased to provide protection to the business community. Rehman Malik said the incident of damages caused to the wires of Close Circuit Cameras (CC Cameras) installed in the Shershah Scrap Market is being probed.

He called for the cooperation of KCCI to check the sale and purchase of stolen cellular phones and called for pointing out those shopkeepers who are involved in the practice. Otherwise FIA team along with media will conduct raids at shops and markets, he added.

The Interior Minister suggested that business community should present its recommendations to the government with regard to stoppage of extortion. Immediate steps will be taken in this regard, he assured.