KARACHI: Sindh Cabinet will conduct a special session on Saturday to decide on extending the Rangers’ special policing powers in Sindh.
The session was called by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and is due to take place at 4 PM today. The special policing powers granted to Pakistan Rangers Sindh in Karachi, for a period of three months, expired on Friday, April 14.
The Sindh government had approved a 90-day extension in Rangers’ special powers in Karachi in January. The said notification took effect from January 16, 2017.
Under the special policing powers under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997, Pakistan Rangers Sindh can carry out raids and arrest suspects.
Rangers were granted these powers to scale down terrorism, extortion, kidnappings for ransom, target killings and other crimes in Karachi, which has long been plagued by violence, mafias and criminal gangs.
However, the 90-day extension in Rangers powers expired Friday, after which authorisation by the provincial administration is needed to continue its operations against terrorists and criminals in the metrapolis.
The Home Department of Sindh forwarded a summary of extension to Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah on April 5, which is pending approval.
Earlier in 2016, the provincial government tried to restrict the Rangers’ powers in Karachi. However, the move was overruled by the centre.