CM meets interior minister: ‘Rangers enjoy the same powers, perks as before’

CM announces Shuhada Fund for law enforcement personnel.

KARACHI:

The perks and facilities given to Pakistan Rangers in Sindh are the same as before and will stay the same in the future, said Rehman Malik on Sunday, clarifying rumours to the contrary.

The federal interior minister was speaking after a meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and Pakistan Rangers Sindh acting director-general Brig. Zafar Iqbal.

“The people of the city and the ministry of internal affairs are thankful to the former DG Rangers for the astounding role he had played in maintaining peace and tranquillity, and eliminating target killings in the city,” Malik said. He told the Rangers representative to take all measures to maintain the law and order situation.

Besides the political parties, the law enforcers, especially the Rangers, have played a pivotal role in combating extremism in the city, which had cost many precious lives of the paramilitary personnel, said Sharafuddin Memon, who is the chief minister’s consultant on internal affairs.

Any misdeed on an individual basis does not justify punishment for all, he said.

The Rangers and police have been told to increase their patrol around the city, he added

Meanwhile, Malik was given a briefing on the investigations into the PNS Mehran base attack and the attack on a Saudi diplomat. He expressed his satisfaction with the progress so far and told the police IG to complete the probe as early as possible. He said that all pending cases should be finalised and SHOs should not hesitate in identifying criminals in their areas. The chief minister appreciated Malik’s support, in terms of intelligence and providing the services of the paramilitary force in Sindh. Referring to misreporting in the media, the minister observed that some people have issued irresponsible statements against Sindh Rangers.

AJK elections

The officers decided that the Rangers and the police would form a joint strategy to ensure transparent elections for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir assembly seats in Sindh. Rangers’ personnel would be deployed at polling stations to ensure no one interferes. The media would be allowed to monitor the activities of the voters around the polling stations. The Election Commission of Pakistan would provide help as well.

Shuhada Fund

The chief minister announced a ‘Shuhada Fund’ [Fund for Martyrs] for members of the law enforcement agencies. Appreciating the sacrifice of three Rangers jawans, Shah said that Sindh Rangers will continue to remain in their headquarters.

The meeting was attended by Sindh chief secretary Abdus Subhan Memon, Sindh IGP Wajid Durrani, acting Capital City Police Officer, Karachi, Iqbal Mehmood, Sindh special home secretary Dr Kazim Hussain Jatoi and principle secretary to CM Alam din Bullo.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 20^th, 2011.