Rangers' policing powers in Sindh extended for 90 days

Sindh govt had asked interior ministry to extend powers of the paramilitary force from Oct 17 to Jan 2017

ISLAMABAD/ KARACHI: On request of the Sindh government, the interior ministry extended on Monday Rangers' policing powers for another 90 days in the province.

"Pursuant to the request made by the home department, government of Sindh has extended the [policing] powers of Rangers under clause (1) of sub section-3 of section-4 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 (XXVII of 1997)," said a statement.



The extension in powers will come into effect from October 18, 2016, said spokesperson of the ministry. The issue was settled smoothly after coordination between the federal and the provincial governments, he added.

Earlier, Sindh government asked the interior minister to issue a notification to extend the powers from October 17 to January 18, 2017.



The granting of powers to the paramilitary force has not been easy. In July this year, it triggered a controversy following Rangers raid at then Sindh Home Minister Sohail Anwar Sial in Larkana.

The controversy would also arise every time Rangers whenever law enforcement agencies, accompanied by officials of NAB and FIA, raided Sindh government departments to arrest corrupt officials.