ISLAMABAD: The interior ministry approved a 90-day extension in the special policing powers of Sindh Rangers in Karachi Division
The decision came after much deliberation and exchange of conflicting remarks between the federal and Sindh government. It would be implemented with effect from July 20, 2016. A notification in this regard was also issued on Wednesday.
In the notification, the ministry announced the approval for the summary sent to the federal government by Sindh government on August 1 regarding the extension in Ranger’s special policing powers. The said powers were granted under Clause (i), Sub-section-3 of Section-4 of Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.
Earlier, the issue of extension of special powers for Rangers in Sindh had echoed in the National Assembly as Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers called for extending the special powers of the paramilitary force to the whole province, while the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leaders called it against Article 147 of the Constitution.
Speaking on a point of order, PPP leader Syed Naveed Qamar said that the Sindh government had extended Rangers’ powers under Article 147 of the Constitution. He alleged that despite the extension in their 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,” he added.
MQM lawmaker Asif Hasnain said that his party was the first which called for the 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 said. PTI’s Dr Arif Alvi said that the law and order situation in Karachi had considerably improved following the deployment of Rangers.
Around 5,000 people used to become victims of target killing every year before Rangers were deployed in the city, he said. He also requested that Rangers’ powers be extended to the whole province till the complete de-politicising of the Sindh police was achieved. He, however, supported the viewpoint of Qamar that the federal government had no authority to deploy the 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.
