The summary seeking extension in special policing powers to Sindh Rangers is still awaiting the signature of Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah despite the lapse of two days.
The sources said the chief minister was waiting for a go-ahead from Dubai to dispatch the requisition summary. It should be mentioned that the interior ministry had moved a summary for the 90-day extension of additional powers to Sindh Rangers six days ago. But, the summary is yet to be signed by the Sindh CM even after 48 hours.
Meantime, veteran PPP leader and advisor to CM for information Moula Bux Chandio said that the powers of the Rangers would be extended soon. Talking to a private media outlet, he played down the delay in extension to the Rangers powers and said the extension was delayed by one or two days in the past as well.
It is pertinent to note here that in July this year, the Sindh government had granted paramilitary force the special powers to detain suspects for 90 days with an aim to restore law and order in the mega city. This 120-day extension came to its close two days ago at midnight between Saturday and Sunday.
PTI SUBMITS RESOLUTION IN SA SEEKING EXTENSION IN RANGERS’ POWERS
A resolution seeking extension in policing powers to Rangers was submitted in the Sindh Assembly on Tuesday.
The resolution submitted by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Khurram Sher Zaman stated that paramilitary Rangers had played a vital role to establish peace in Karachi, thus, four-month extension should be granted in Rangers’ policing powers to deal with extortionists, terrorists, target killers and land mafias in the metropolis. The PTI saluted the law enforcement personnel for their efforts, it added. The deadline provided for Rangers to exercise exclusive policing powers in the city of Karachi ended on December 5, 2015, as the Sindh government failed to provide the extension.
The special powers to arrest and conduct raids were earlier provided to Rangers under the Anti-Terrorism Act and were part of the ongoing operation against terrorists and criminal elements in the city.
Previously, these powers were extended every three months via notification by the Sindh government, however, the provincial government was unable to submit the request to the federal government this time around.
GOVT NOT AGAINST EXTENSION IN RANGERS’ POWERS: KHUHRO
Clarifying that the provincial government is not against granting extension in ‘special powers’ to Rangers, Senior Sindh Minister Nisar Khuhro said on Tuesday that the matter would be sorted out in a day or two.
Talking to media persons at a symposium at Jinnah Post-graduate Medical Centre, Nisar Khuhro said: “We are not against granting extension in powers to Rangers. It is, however, necessary to take approval from the Sindh Assembly in the matter.”
He hoped that the matter would be resolved within the next couple of days. When asked who would be the mayor of Karachi, the Minister said the mayor would be from the party that returned with majority. “Now it depends on that party who it deems fit for the coveted slot,” he added.
Commenting on the reshuffling in Sindh cabinet, Khuhro said the change was very much in the control of provincial government and the party and this sort of change should keep happening in future as well.
