F.P. Report
KARACHI: The Sindh Government of Pakistan Peoples Party seems to be in no mood of confrontation as it on Wednesday granted another 90-day extension to Rangers’ special powers.
The powers of Rangers had been a bone of contention between center and province in the past; however, on Wednesday spokesman CM House said Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has approved the extension of special power of Pakistan Rangers for another 90 days.
The special powers given to Pakistan Rangers are expiring on October 12, 2017. “The chief minister extended the Rangers’ powers from October 13 onwards for another 90 days”, said spokesman.
A smooth extension in Rangers’ special power for a period of three months was witnessed after a couple of years here in July this year.
According to spokesman the Sindh Chief Minister approved a summary under which the deployment of Pakistan Rangers in Karachi Division under clause (i) of Sub-Section (3) of Section 4 of Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 (XXVII of 1997) for a further period of 90 days commencing from 15.07.2017 to 12.10.2017.
In April powers were extended to Rangers after the interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan warned Sindh government against making Rangers’ special power controversial.
Addressing a passing out parade of Sachal Rangers in Karachi, Nisar said that had done great efforts for securing the country’s borders and exhibiting responsibility and bravery in internal security matters.
“The issue of securing Karachi should not be “politicized”, Nisar Warned, adding the Rangers’ powers should not be made controversial every three months.
“I hope the process of creating barriers regarding Rangers’ powers every three months will stop now.”
The minister said Rangers do not function for the benefit of any political party or vested interests and should be “facilitated” in bringing peace to Karachi.
He said the Rangers were assigned the “extremely difficult task” of securing Karachi three and half years ago but the paramilitary force had created an example of velour and service despite all odds during this period.
Few days ago the federal government had extended special policing powers of the Rangers in Karachi for another 90 days while rejecting conditions of the Sindh government.
“No curb can be placed on anti- terrorism law,” the notification issued by federal interior ministry and sent to provincial home office Sindh said.
Two days earlier, the Sindh Government had extended the Rangers’ stay with some condition.
“The provincial Cabinet which met here at the CM House under the chairmanship of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has decided to requisition the assistance of Pakistan Rangers, Sindh within Karachi Division under Section 4(2) of Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997 for a period of 90 days right from April 16, 2017,” spokesman CM House said.
The chief minister told the cabinet members that earlier the chief minister used to take such decision on his own but now the High Court of Sindh has made interpretation of the government as cabinet; therefore the extension of powers to Pakistan Rangers under ATA-1997 has been brought in the cabinet.
