Pakistan

Sindh govt extends policing powers for Rangers by a month

Extension comes after PPP co-chairman issued directives to Sindh government

Hafeez Tunio July 08, 2015

Rangers patrolling in Karachi on Wednesday. PHOTO: ONLINE

KARACHI: After Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari directed the Sindh government late on Wednesday evening to extend policing powers for Rangers, the provincial administration granted a 30 day extension.

According to details, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said that the provincial assembly will later deliberate on confirmation of their powers and deployment in urban centers under Article 147 of the Constitution.

A notification to this effect, under Anti-Terrorism Act, is expected to be issued by the provincial home department on Thursday.

Earlier, the former president had asked the Sindh chief minister to extend special powers for the paramilitary force.

“In the present situation the relation between military and civilian governments are praiseworthy for betterment of the country,” the former president said, adding that there was a dire need to strengthen these relations.

After these directives, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah convened a meeting of PPP leaders, legal experts, chief secretary among others to discuss the matter.

However, no notification had been issued by the provincial government ill the filing of this report. However, Shah did call Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad early on Thursday.

On the other hand, Zardari held a meeting with PPP leaders in Dubai. The meeting was attended by Sindh Finance Minsiter Murad Ali Shah, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, among others. They reportedly discussed the current political situation.

Read: Rangers to keep policing powers in Karachi: Nisar

His statement comes after the interior minister said that the Sindh government would issue a notification extending police powers for Rangers by Wednesday night.

“Earlier, we had decided that we will withdraw Rangers from the metropolis after Youm-e-Ali, but after talks with Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, we have decided to extend their deployment,” Nisar had said.

He added that once the provincial government issues the formal notification, the centre would endorse it.

Read: DG Rangers reiterates commitment to make Karachi crime-free

Separately, DG Rangers Major-General Bilal Akbar met with Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad at the Governor House on Wednesday. Matters of professional interests and Karachi’s law and order were discussed in detail.

COMMENTS (12)

the Skunk | 9 years ago | Reply InshAllah, they will have to extend the powers of the Rangers or if need be FACE MARTIAL LAW. Enough of tom foolery has been going on and the citizens of Sindh have seen nothing but 'death, destruction, and damnation.' As long as Zardari, Nawaz, Altaf have the game going their way...everything is wonderful. No Sir, enough is enough and the citizens of Sindh want sense and sensibility prevailing all over. Thanx and Salams

Neutral | 9 years ago | Reply What else choice they have. But for them it's like signing their own warrants .

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Neutral | 9 years ago | Reply They know that extension to policing power mean signing their own death warrant. Good work rangers. At least looting mafia is afraid of something now.

Jalal | 9 years ago | Reply Sindh government blackmailed by Punjabi establishment.

Ali | 9 years ago | Reply Oh wow a whole Month Y such A big Generosity!

SYM | 9 years ago | Reply I am a Karachiette and I want to get rid of PPP & MQM goons. They are the real reason why foreign investments ain't coming to this great nation. They are the reason for the destabilization of Pakistan. They are the reason why no Test playing nation coming to Pakistan. They have destroyed my beloved country. The entire nation is behind RANGERS. Pakistan Zindabad.

ashar | 9 years ago | Reply He paid the price for his speech.

msh | 9 years ago | Reply With a very heavy heart......

just_someone | 9 years ago | Reply Who is he to issue any directions? He is the head of a political party but doesnt hold any other office that justifies his direction. This shows how our government works!

cautious | 9 years ago | Reply Zardari, Sharif, Khan, Musharraf, Hussain .... and nobody on the horizon that has the guts to take on the religious right. No wonder the rest of the World doesn't hold out much promise for Pakistan? If the Iranian deal falls though and Afghanistan deteriorates then I wouldn't be surprised if Pakistan is placed on sanctions list - doesn't' cost much to expand to neighbors of Iran.

Raisani | 9 years ago | Reply "Zardari directs Sindh govt to extend policing powers for Rangers" What a misery of this country, criminals are directing n delegating powers to law enforcers.

kfaisal | 9 years ago | Reply Rangers fall under Ministry of Interior, not Ministry of defense. Technically they are a para-military outfit. Their soldiers are directly recruited and not posted from army. Their officers are a mix of rangers own officers, police and army. The DG who heads them can be from army or police or rangers own. However, they generally post an army general as DG so the rangers follow the army chief's orders unofficially. So my point is, giving powers to rangers is technically not improving civil-military relationship although practically it is.

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