Rangers stay in Punjab to get 60-day extension

Progress made by Rangers over the past two months equivalent to that made by police in six months: Rana Sanaullah

LAHORE: Keeping in view the progress made by Rangers in curbing terrorism in Punjab, Cabinet Committee for law and order has recommended extending stay of the paramilitary force for another 60 days.

It has been learnt that during a meeting on Tuesday the committee and provincial administration appreciated the Rangers’ performance in collaboration with the Counter Terrorism Force and Punjab Police.

Taking into account the effectiveness of the ongoing operation against terrorism, the committee recommended government to grant rangers extension of 60 days with their existing powers. Rangers were called in Punjab two months back in February.

Provincial Minister Rana Sanaullah said that the progress made by Rangers in Punjab over the past two months was equivalent to that made by police in six months.



“Rangers have managed to clean the bordering region of the province such as Rajanpur and Hafizabad,” he said.

The provincial minister said that the Rangers have managed to foil several terrorist attacks planned in Punjab.

He said that the government will accept recommendations from the Cabinet Committee and will grant extend the special powers to another two months.

Sanaullah further went on to say that another extension could also be granted.

University of Punjab’s acting vice-chancellor Zafar Moeen Nasir was also called to the Cabinet Committee meeting to review the law and order situation of the campus.

The acting VC was advised to take punitive action against troublemakers in Punjab University. He was also assured of full support and cooperation by the police and district administration to stop students from creating unrest in the university.



The police was also advised to clean up the university campus of such troublemaking students. Whereas the acting VC was advised to take strict measures in this regard, a grand police operation was also on the cards, an insider revealed.

The provincial law minister told The Express Tribune that the main cause of the unrest was the fact that Punjab University had no permanent VC.

He explained that since the acting VC has limited powers his decisions are not as powerful as a VC.