Sindh govt, Rangers at crossroads over extension of powers

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The Sindh government seems to be at crossroads with the Rangers over extension of its powers which expired at 12:00 on Wednesday.

A summary for the extension of Rangers stay in Karachi by a year and extension of their special powers by a month, gathers dust at the Chief Minister House as the Sindh government looks the other way.

Last week DG Rangers General Bilal Akbar had announced that the paramilitary will extend the Karachi operation to other parts of Sindh, a decision which did not go well with the Sindh government.

Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah on Tuesday said that Rangers have been given special policing powers only in Karachi, not in rest of the province.

Powers of the paramilitary to detain an individual for up to 90 days lapsed on June 15. The Protection of Pakistan Ordinance which allowed the paramilitary to arrest suspects without a warrant lapsed on July 15.

“The paramilitary force has no special powers in rest of the province,” the Sindh CM said, speaking at a press conference in Larkana.

“These powers were aimed at reducing four most heinous offences i.e. terrorism, target killing, extortion and kidnapping for ransom.”