Karachi operation: Sindh extends Rangers powers

Paramilitary force gets 3-month unconditional powers, cannot arrest terror financers without CM's written approval

KARACHI:

The Sindh government has extended the special powers granted to Rangers for another three months, endorsing the federal government’s decision.

The provincial administration issued the notification on Thursday, granting unconditional powers to the paramilitary force to carry on its operations in the province. The special policing powers for conducting targeted operations have been extended for 90 days beginning from February 4.



This time the Rangers’ powers extended are unconditional as given earlier in 2013 when the Karachi operation started, allowing the force to grill any suspect involved in terrorism directly or indirectly.

The Rangers policing issue became controversial in recent months after the Sindh Assembly adopted a resolution limiting the powers of the paramilitary force.

According to the resolution approved late last year, the paramilitary force could only take action against suspects accused of targeted and sectarian killings, extortion and kidnapping for ransom.



Any person not directly involved in terrorism, and only a suspect in aiding or abetting terrorists shall not be placed under preventive detention of 90 days as currently enjoyed by the force. The Rangers, the resolution stated, will not be allowed to arrest anyone under the allegations of financing terrorists without the prior written approval of the Sindh government or the chief minister. They were also barred from raiding any government office or any other authority without the approval of the Sindh chief secretary.

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

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19^th, 2016.