Sindh govt extends Rangers’ special powers for 90 days

‘Unconditional’ powers will allow the paramilitary force to question any person suspected to be involved in terrorism

KARACHI: The Sindh government has finally issued a notification granting ‘unconditional’ powers to Rangers in the province, endorsing the decision of the federal government.

The special policing powers to the paramilitary force, which is conducting a surgical operation in Karachi, have been extended for 90 days starting from February 4, read the notification issued on Thursday.

The powers extended are ‘unconditional’, similar to the authority given in 2013 at the start of the operation, allowing the paramilitary force to question any person suspected to be involved in terrorism directly or indirectly, according to sources.



The issue of granting special powers to Rangers took a controversial turn when the Sindh Assembly adopted a resolution in December 2015, limiting the powers of the paramilitary force in the province.

According to the resolution tabled by Sindh Home Minister Sohail Anwer Siyal, the paramilitary force could neither arrest anyone under the allegations of financing terrorists without prior approval of Sindh government or the chief minister nor raid any provincial government office or authority, without approval of the Sindh chief secretary.

The federal government, however, had rejected the summary, making it clear the paramilitary force would continue to operate in the province with full powers.