Ranger arresting suspects involved in a clash between two groups. PHOTO: RASHID AJMERI/EXPRESS/FILE
The decision was taken in a cabinet session chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
The revised draft of the bill will now be presented before the Parliament for approval.
• The amendments will allow security forces to ‘use force’ to prevent a terrorist act, with omission of the phrase ‘when fired upon’.
• Target killers, extortionists and kidnappers will also be treated as ‘terrorists’.
• The armed forces or civil armed forces will be authorised to detain a person involved in such offences for three months for investigations.
Besides giving the Rangers greater powers, the proposed amendments also include ensuring protection of witnesses as part of a larger effort to stem terrorism within the state.
In that regard, the measures include “using screens to shield witnesses, judges and prosecutors from public view; trial in jail premises or through video link; investigation and trial in another province and ensuring no access to mobile phones for prisoners in jail.”
The cabinet also decided to constitute a special committee to review the proposed bill for local bodies act for the federal capital.
While speaking on law and order within the country, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the ongoing targeted action in Karachi, remarking that the common man was satisfied with the operation and a positive outcome was guaranteed.
He directed the federal government institutions to ensure full cooperation with the Sindh government to restore law and order in Karachi.
COMMENTS (10)
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"measures include “using screens to shield witnesses, judges and prosecutors from public view; trial in jail premises or through video link; investigation and trial in another province and ensuring no access to mobile phones for prisoners in jail.”
The operation is going to be successful if this is implemented properly.
To some people, they might look like excessive powers but extraordinary circumstances demand extraordinary steps. These steps are in the right direction although too late.Lets keep our fingers crossed. We need peace now, it does not matter at what cost.
Shameful, govt. released a known terrorist in name of peace.
@Pakistani: This is the price you have to pay for peace in Karachi.
The problem is not as much as the law written in a book, as to whether that law is actually applied in practice or not.
No point, courts will set them free again !!
Late but right step.
I like this clause
"amendments will allow security forces to ‘use force’ to prevent a terrorist act"
Rangers/Police normally know the bad guys, just execute them on sight and save the life of witnesses, time of judiciary and money of tax payers
Good step but what will these law enforcement agencies do when all these murderers, exhibitionist, kidnappers will be pardoned?
Does it mean Ranger got right to violate human rights?