Sindh Rangers get another month on Zardari’s call

• Amidst concerns that the Sindh govt is unlikely to extend special policing powers given to paramilitary force, PPP co-chairman directs CM to issue extension notification
• Zardari says PPP honours military’s anti-terror role, wants improvement in civil-military working relationship
• Interior Minister Nisar rejects criticism against paramilitary force, says they have risked their lives for bringing peace back to Karachi

The Pakistan People’s Party-led Sindh government on Wednesday night decided to extend the special policing powers granted to the Sindh Rangers by one month, as Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan sought to allay the provincial government’s concerns regarding the paramilitary force’s actions in the province.

Sources told Pakistan Today that PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari telephoned Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah late Wednesday night and directed him to extend the duration of special powers granted to the Sindh Rangers. According to a notification of the Sindh CM Secretariat, the extension to Rangers had been given under Article 147 and further extension would be given after approval by the Sindh Assembly.

The sources said that Zardari appreciated the role played by the military in the war against terrorism. “Zardari also said that the PPP wants improvement in civil-military relations and further enhancement in the working relationship,” said the source.

Earlier on Wednesday, Sindh Chief Minister Shah had said that the Sindh government had an excellent working relationship with the federal government, the Rangers and the army, adding that there was no authenticity in news about tension between the Sindh and federal governments. He said that the Rangers’ efforts to end terrorism, extortion, kidnappings for ransom and targeted killing could not be forgotten.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) submitted a bill in the Sindh Assembly in favour of the continuation of special powers to Rangers in Karachi. The bill was submitted by PTI leader Khurram Sher Zaman who said that the province including Karachi needs the Rangers and that the police cannot be depended upon.

Wednesday was the last day of the original fixed period for special powers granted to the Rangers, including the legal powers of Rangers to detain any suspect for 90 days.

The Sindh government had allowed the Rangers in November last year to detain any suspect for 90 days in their custody with the permission of the court, for further interrogations for 120 days, and these powers were extended in March this year for further 120 days, until July 8. Meanwhile, the period of stay of Rangers in the province expires July 20.

NISAR REJECTS CRITICISM ON RANGERS:

Also on Wednesday, Interior Minister Nisar said the Centre had been communicating with the provincial government on the issue of extension in Rangers’ operational powers.

He said the Rangers had been deployed in Karachi in accordance with the law, adding that they brought peace and stability to the metropolis. “It is not possible for the federal government to allow Rangers to be targeted like this – it is a federal force,” he added.

“If the Sindh government does not wish to extend the powers of Rangers, then under no circumstances we will expose Rangers on the streets of Karachi without legal cover,” he told a press conference in Islamabad.

The interior minister also lamented the criticism levelled against the force.

“Rangers are being targeted and criticised despite their tremendous efforts,” he said, adding that Rangers personnel had risked their lives to secure Karachi. “It is a paramilitary force equipped and trained to fight enemies. When they are deployed to secure cities they go over and above their call of duty.”

He termed political criticism of the Sindh Rangers “unacceptable”.

In an apparent response to repeated Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) allegations that the operation in Karachi is political, Nisar said: “Rangers are an apolitical force. They do not take any action at the behest of any political party.”

Regarding the investigations in Dr Imran Farooq murder case, Nisar said interrogation of prime suspect Moazzam Ali had been completed and the London police team currently in Islamabad will be given access to the second suspect on Thursday.