They have such a strong presence that they are held responsible for the price spiral and all such ills plaguing the economy. Traders and businessmen have long been complaining that they are facing insurmountable problems, but the law enforcers have not succeeded in responding to their helplessness.

The home ministry, in its meeting with the representatives of shop owners, suggested that the owners develop their own security mechanism, including installation of close-circuit television at the shopping malls. The owners have asked for duty exemption on import of such television, which, we believe, is a reasonable demand that the government should not hesitate to meet.

As for private security arrangements, the only thing that can be said is that such arrangements already exist in most of the shopping complexes, but they do not preclude the law enforcers' primary responsibility of keeping vigil over those places. One must also not overlook the fact that it is not easy for shop owners to face armed extortionists on their own.

That said, shopping complex owners have to go by the rules to beef up security in and around the markets. Most of the markets do not have parking lots and the result is crowding of the places and obstruction of the movement of vehicles. Such problems do have a bearing on law and order.

The decision to deploy extra teams of police during the days before Eid was a laudable one. And, as shops owners themselves have acknowledged, it worked well. But then security at markets cannot be a seasonal affair.

Finally, whatever might have been achieved so far, the consultation process initiated by the government to keep abreast of shop owners' predicament is a welcome move that should help the two sides find a durable solution to the problems being created by extortionists.