Centre extends Rangers’ policing powers in Karachi for 90 days

• Rangers’ extension issue echoes in National Assembly

The Federal Interior Ministry on Wednesday approved a 90-day extension in the special policing powers of Sindh Rangers in Karachi Division — with effect from July 20, 2016.

A notification in this regard was issued in which the ministry announced approval for the summary sent to the federal government by Sindh government regarding the extension in Ranger’s special policing powers.

The issue of extension of special powers for Rangers in Sindh echoed in the National Assembly as well, as MQM and PTI lawmakers called for extending the special powers of the paramilitary force to the whole province, while PPP legislators termed it against Article 147 of the Constitution.

Speaking on a point of order, Parliamentary leader of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Syed Naveed Qamar said the Sindh government had extended Rangers’ powers under Article 147 of the Constitution.

Qamar alleged that despite the extension in Rangers’ powers for one year, a press release was issued to the media stating that the Interior Ministry had not accepted Sindh government’s summary in this regard.

“Such acts would weaken the federation,” Qamar viewed and asked the federal government to clarify the matter.

MQM lawmaker Asif Hasnain said MQM was the first party which called for deployment of Rangers in the province to restore peace. Instead of deploying it in Karachi, Rangers’ powers should be extended to the whole province for achieving long lasting peace, he added.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Dr Arif Alvi said the law and order situation in Karachi had considerably improved following the deployment of Rangers.

“There was sharp decrease in incidents of target killing, extortion, China cutting and kidnapping for ransom,” said Alvi.

Around 5,000 people used to become victims of target killing every year before Rangers were deployed in the city, said the PTI lawmaker.

Alvi requested that Rangers’ powers be extended to the whole province till complete de-politicising of the Sindh police is achieved.

He, however, supported the viewpoint of Naveed Qamar that the federal government had no authority to deploy Rangers without the consent of the provincial government.

PPP’s Nawab Yousaf Talpur alleged that the federation was trying to replicate the One Unit situation, which was created by Ayub Khan and Sikandar Mirza.

“The provinces are now empowered under the 18th Constitutional Amendment to take such decisions. Confusion, if any, should be sorted out through talks,” he added.

The issue of special powers given to Ringers has for long remained a bone of contention between the federation and Sindh government, for the latter sees it as a threat to its rule in the province.

Mehmood Khan Achakzai of Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party said the people had the right to rule their provinces and there should be no interference in their matters for the supremacy of parliament and constitution.

He said that only the Supreme Court could interpret the constitution.