Karachi’s security crutch has always been the Rangers, much like the entry of a superhero or the fictional Power Rangers in a scene of chaos. Since 2013, their intermittent presence on vulnerable city streets has given citizens some relief from the constant paranoia and fear of harm that they have been living in. Two weeks ago, reports surfaced that the Rangers’ power in Sindh had been relinquished, eliciting mixed feelings. The common man began fretting that he might soon be robbed at gunpoint of his humble possessions while some who live more securely agreed with the move that the responsibility of citizen safety should be handed solely to the police. To the joy of many, particularly those perhaps too comfortable with martial and para-martial presence, the Rangers’ powers have now been extended by 90 days. While a paramilitary force does not have a role in the day-to-day ground security of a city, we have an indication that the situation in Karachi is still as precarious as before.
It is intriguing to examine this step against the backdrop of Operation Zarb-e-Azb and the newly launched Operation Raddul Fasad, as part of the National Action Plan, which includes the paramilitary force’s operations in Karachi. While excessive crime in the city has only been mitigated some if we are to go by the statistics offered, regular terrorism in other parts of the country is a problem for Sindh since terrorist organisations have centres in Karachi. Hence, theoretically speaking, the Rangers should have no business there but practically, their extension provides solace to many.
The government of Pakistan has not been able to function adequately in areas such as citizen safety and well-being. It has frequently required assistance from other entities in the country, such as the army, or international NGOs. It has little experience of doing things on its own but this is a pattern that will have to change if the leadership genuinely wants to move towards being a self-sufficient democratic state.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 24th, 2017.
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