Sir: The extortion racket has become an industry by now. With target killing becoming a routine and going unpunished, coercing people into paying extortion money has become easier. According to the Karachi police, there are about 50 no-go areas in Karachi; most of the extortion rackets operate from these population pockets. Until December last year, 630 extortion complaints have been registered by the Citizens Police Liaison Committee, a Karachi body set up to help police by providing crime statistics and technical support. Emboldened by their rate of success, the extortion mafia is fast penetrating into larger business entities, as is suggested by the railway attack that occurred last year in September. Official records have confirmed large political parties in Sindh involved in this malpractice. Karachi’s violence has been largely attributed to the turf war ignited by different parties to get their maximum from extortion. The recent phenomenon of Taliban ramping up extortion operations in Karachi has added to the misery of the business community in Karachi. The government should try to end this culture because it is the root of all criminal activities. In these circumstances, nothing can be taken lying down. We have already given enough space to the criminals and the terrorists to wreak havoc with our lives. How much more do we intend to offer them before we actually fall flat on our face? We need to act together and on a serious note. Shahab Haider Karachi