Traders demand more policing powers for Rangers

Due to political pressure, the performance of the police has fallen sharply, says Atiq Mir

KARACHI:

Small traders have demanded of the Army chief, the federal and Sindh governments to restore the 2013 power of registration of FIR for Rangers to curb incidents of snatching and mugging in the city.

All Karachi Traders Union Chairman Atiq Mir said that the helplessness of traders and people has increased to an alarming extent due to the onslaught of dacoits, looters and thieves in the city.

Police have apparently surrendered the city to criminal elements by making the Rangers powerless and politicising the police. Due to political pressure, the performance of the police has fallen sharply. The strategy of law is old and the method of crime is modern. Despite the arrests and trials, the perpetrators have no fear of punishment.

The leader of small traders said that due to lack of required personnel in police stations most of the precincts are deserted, making traders and citizens vulnerable to criminal elements. A substantial chunk of police were engaged in protocol duties instead of guarding the people and traders.

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Police officers are unable to do their duty under government pressure while the personnel seem to be busy looting the people by forgetting their responsibilities.

Due to the unserious attitude of the Sindh government toward maintaining law and order in the city, the deployment of army in Sindh under Article 245 or the imposition of Governor's Rule under Article 234 is justified.

In view of these circumstances, the Army Chief is requested to restore the powers of the Rangers to the level of 2013 and issue orders to give them the power to register FIRs. Limited powers are having a negative effect on the performance of the Rangers. The withdrawal of powers from the Rangers is nothing short of good news for criminal elements.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21^st, 2021.