Sindh may use Rangers issue as bargaining chip with Centre

Nisar warns of danger to Karachi peace if PPP govt applies delay tactics

ISLAMABAD/ KARACHI: With special policing powers awarded to Pakistan Rangers Sindh ended on April 15, the PPP government seemed to use the issue as a bargaining chip to strike a deal with the powers that be in securing release of missing aides of former president Asif Ali Zardari.

The Sindh government awarded the special powers to the paramilitary force under Section 4(3) (I) of the ATA-1997 in January 2017, giving it legal cover to engage in search, arrest and independent operations.

The PPP leadership [Asif Ali Zardari] has conveyed a clear message to the party and the Sindh chief minister to hold a cabinet meeting within a few days and start bargaining with the relevant quarters on the issue.

Moreover, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Tuesday warned that “delaying tactics” in giving the paramilitary force powers might jeopardise peace in Karachi.

“The paramilitary Rangers cannot be deployed on Karachi roads and chowks (roundabouts) without giving them powers,” the minister said while holding a meeting with Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair in the federal capital.

They discussed the overall law and order situation in the province, particularly in Karachi.

Nisar said the role and sacrifices rendered by the Rangers were known to everybody. “Improved security situation in Karachi is the result of joint efforts of security forces and Rangers played a key role in this regard.”



Nisar said the federal government was committed to fulfil the demand of all stakeholders, including political ones that the Karachi operation, initiated for the sake of national interest, particularly for the welfare of Karachiites, would be taken to the logical end.

Sources privy to the development told The Express Tribune in Karachi that the issue of Rangers powers has taken a new twist following the disappearance of three aides of the top PPP leadership.

“The government is willing to give powers to the Rangers, but [it] wants to indulge in bargaining on the issue. Let’s see who is going to win. I think the actual decision will be in favour of those powerful elements who are insisting on giving an extension to stay of the Rangers in Sindh,” a senior officer in the provincial law department said.

“The PPP leadership has taken a firm stand [with regard] to release of Zardari’s aides or present them in court of law and stop victimising their leaders,” he added.

“The chief minister has convened this message to Sindh Governor Mohammad Zubair, who is working as mediator between the federal and provincial government,” sources said.

“The Sindh government has decided in principle to drag this issue in the cabinet meeting scheduled for April 21 where a few more conditions may be suggested with regard to the special powers,” they said.

“The special powers will be given to the paramilitary force, but the Sindh cabinet will either seek assurance or devise a mechanism to oversee the Rangers actions,” the sources added.

Talking to The Express Tribune, the newly appointed Sindh Law Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar said: “The Rangers has been deployed in Sindh under Article 147 to provide assistance of the police and these special powers were given to the force under Section 4 (3)(i) of the Anti-Terrorism Act-1997 only in Karachi when the National Action Plan was launched in January 2015.”

“Even after the special powers conferred on Rangers, the latter cannot take unilateral actions in any matter. Unfortunately, they (Rangers) do not take the police, the home department and even the chief minister into confidence,” he said.



“The Sindh Assembly has also passed a resolution, restraining the Rangers from taking action against politicians and government departments without seeking prior approval of the authorities concerned, but to no avail.”

Responding to a question over the Sindh government’s intention to make a ‘bargain’ over the issue, he said, “I don’t think there is a need for bargaining. All actions will be taken as per law.”

When his attention was drawn towards the powers given to the Rangers in Punjab, he said, “In some districts of Punjab, the Rangers are supposed to work in coordination with the police and the Counter Terrorism Department, but the situation is different in Karachi in many ways.

“We have no objections to the powers being enjoyed by the paramilitary force in Karachi, but it should not overstep its actual limit,” he remarked.

Constitutional expert and politician Ayaz Latif Palijo said under Article 9, it was the government’s responsibility to provide security to every citizen.

“After the National Action Plan, the powers given to the Rangers have helped contain the worsening law and order situation to a great extent,” he said, adding, “Whenever the paramilitary force takes action against corrupt politicians or government officials, the PPP government starts adopting delaying tactics.”

“The cabinet meeting can be convened within two hours. Why is there a delay on the government’s part? This drama is being staged by the government to mount pressure to secure release of their people,” he said.

On the other hand, the Rangers have stopped policing in the city, directing its personnel to not conduct any raid and arrest people.

The situation can be gauged from the fact that when the Karachi University vice chancellor called to the Rangers on Tuesday to control an untoward situation, they refused to act, citing lack of mandate.

Resultantly, a police contingent led by SSP Rao Anwar reached the spot and controlled the situation.

“The Rangers will now provide security to notified places only, including the CM and Governor houses and act as backup support to the police and the district administration in case of emergency,” said the spokesperson of Rangers.

However, by late Tuesday night, Rangers personnel were seen missing from their duties at the CM House and Red Zone areas that compelled the Sindh government to lodge a complaint with the Rangers Headquarters and asked it to provide them security.

Also, civil society organisations, transport bodies and traders staged protests in various areas of Karachi, demanding special powers for Rangers.