Karachi, July 18 (IANS) Businessmen in the Pakistani port city have been receiving around 200 extortion notes every day, Geo News reported.

At least 18 traders were kidnapped for ransom while more than 200 business owners received extortion messages through written notes, calls or mobile phone messages.

The report said millions of rupees have already been paid by some factory owners.

Despite the deteriorating situation, no major breakthrough has been reported by law enforcement agencies.

In July, at least 109 people have been killed in the city, while the toll in the year 2012 has exceeded 1,000, the report said.

At least 52 policemen were shot dead in the past six months.