Sindh-Centre row ends: Rangers get policing powers for another 90 days

Sindh CM approves summary; Interior Minister Nisar says special powers not limited to Karachi

KARACHI: The Sindh government has given the paramilitary Rangers policing powers for another 90 days and extended the force’s stay in the province for a year. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah signed a summary on Monday putting an end to a controversy between Sindh and the Centre.

The Rangers-led targeted operations have been ongoing in Karachi since September 2013, which have led to a marked decline in violence in the teeming metropolis.

CM Murad said the Rangers and police have done a wonderful job by restoring peace in the city. “We must appreciate their sacrifices for restoring law and order in the province,” he added while presiding over a meeting on law and order at the CM House.

He specifically credited the law enforcement agencies for the sharp decline in incidents of terrorism, targeted killings, kidnapping for ransom and extortion.

The summary was moved by the home department seeking a year’s extension in the stay of the Rangers in Sindh with a grant of special policing powers for 90 days. The chief minister signed the summary forthwith and directed Chief Secretary Siddique Memon to coordinate with the federal government for issuance of a notification at the earliest.

Apart from the chief secretary, attendees at the meeting included IGP Sindh AD Khwaja and Home Secretary Riaz Hussain Soomro. After the meeting, Chief Minister’s Adviser Moula Bux Chandio said in a statement that the issue of the Rangers special powers has been resolved amicably which would help maintain law and order in the province.

“Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has granted special powers to the Rangers soon after assuming his charge,” Chandio added. “The Sindh government is committed to maintaining law and order in the province for development and prosperity of the people of the province.”



Now the federal government needs to adopt a positive attitude towards Sindh and desist from putting pressures on the provincial government, Chandio said. “The Sindh government is running all its affairs as per the Constitution and according to the law. The business community and civil society are also fully satisfied with the Sindh government’s steps for peace. Hence, there is no need to put any hurdles in the democratic process in Sindh.”

Hours earlier, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said the Rangers’ policing powers extended under Article 147 of the Constitution would not be limited to Karachi but would apply to entire Sindh province.

Speaking at a news conference, the security czar said the paramilitary force has thus far conducted 154 raids in rural Sindh which have yielded the arrest of 533 suspected criminals. Of these, 34 suspects belonged to banned outfits, 24 were involved in illegal drugs trade, 10 were high-profile smugglers, 16 were separatists and 127 were foreigners illegally staying in the province.

Referring to the Sindh government’s earlier dilly-dallying on extending the Rangers’ powers, Nisar said that the matter should not be politicised because the paramilitary force has given huge sacrifices for resting peace in Karachi. The operation was initiated by the federal government in consultation with the provincial authorities in Sindh, he added. The operation also enjoys public support.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 2^nd, 2016.