Interior ministry extends Rangers' policing powers in Karachi for 60 days

Dawn.com Published December 22, 2015

“It is not possible to limit the authority of any law-enforcing agency,” the interior ministry said, adding that the power to limit the special powers of Rangers is reserved only by the Federal Government. - File Photo

ISLAMABAD: After much deliberation, the interior ministry gave a 60-day extension in the special policing powers of Rangers in Sindh, after a meeting at the ministry chaired by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, DawnNews reported on Tuesday.

The summary sent to the federal government by Sindh government on the matter of extending Ranger's policing powers was earlier rejected.

A letter was issued to the Sindh government in this regard on Tuesday, instructing it to draft a new summary regarding the matter without posting any conditions.

"The provincial assembly does not reserve the authority to amend the federal laws," the interior ministry said in a statement.

Also read: Sindh Assembly adopts resolution seeking to curtail Rangers’ powers

The above mentioned decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali khan at Punjab House.

The meeting was held to discuss the implications the said summary and devise the further course of action by interior ministry in this regard.

During the meeting, the summary regarding the extension in authority of the Pakistan Rangers was thoroughly discussed.

“It is not possible to limit the authority of any law-enforcing agency,” the interior ministry stated, adding that the power to limit the special powers of Rangers is reserved only by the Federal government.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah had earlier signed the summary to 'conditionally' extend the special powers of Pakistan Rangers in the province for 60 days and moved the summary to the interior ministry.

Special powers given to Rangers under the Anti-Terrorism Act had expired on December 5 and the Sindh government has been reluctant to extend them.

Earlier on Monday, the chief of the paramilitary force vowed that there would be no let-up in actions under the ‘Karachi operation’ and it would continue at the same pace “till its logical end”.

It said that under the National Action Plan and the Anti-Terrorism Act, Rangers had the mandate to conduct targeted operation against elements involved in four heinous crimes — terrorism, targeted killing, kidnapping for ransom and extortion, but the paramilitary force overstepped its authority by raiding government offices, arresting officials and seizing official records.

PPP reacts

Sindh Finance Minister Murad Ali Shah, in an apparent reaction, to Chaudhry Nisar's statement said that federal government has taken an 'unconstitutional' step today (Tuesday).

Talking to media, Shah also rejected Chaudhry Nisar's earlier claim that the federal government is providing Rs 9 billion for Rangers' expenses in Sindh.

"This claim of providing Sindh a sum of Rs 9 billion annually for Rangers is incorrect," said the provincial finance Minister.

Senior PPP leader Khursheed Shah also objected upon the move questioning Nisar's conduct of not taking Sindh chief minister into confidence.

The adviser to Sindh chief minister on information, Maula Bux Chandio, said that the federation is overtaking Sindh Assembly's authority.

"We have full confidence in Rangers, our objection is upon the federation," said Chandio.

He was of the view that the problems created for provinces by the federation will also have impacts on federation.

About Dr Asim Hussain case, Chandio said that the Sindh government will accept court's verdict in the case.

Interior ministry responds

The interior ministry, while replying to Murad Ali Shah's claim, said that the interior minister never claimed that the amount spent on Rangers in Sindh is given directly to Sindh government.

The statement released by interior ministry asserts that the federation spends Rs9 billion annually on paramilitary force in Sindh and the details regarding the expenditure will be released in the newspapers.

About the recent move to grant Rangers policing powers, the ministry maintained that if anyone has objection towards the move, he or she can access the court.

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Comments (60) Closed

Waqar Khan

Dec 22, 2015 08:45pm

Great news.

Recommend 0

The Observer

Dec 22, 2015 08:47pm

Good move

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Faiz Khilji

Dec 22, 2015 08:52pm

This action should have been taken the very first day on Dec. 05. Anyways, better late than never. We need sincere action and only action - no politics..

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Salih

Dec 22, 2015 08:53pm

Has to be done before 5th Dec. But the operation must extend to the whole of Pakistan ASAP.

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Ashfaq

Dec 22, 2015 08:53pm

Good work dear minister, keep the heat on crooks and criminals

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Naveed

Dec 22, 2015 08:54pm

The Federal Government should ensure unlimited extension without interference from Sindh Government to keep the peace. See the poll taken by Dawn, people trust Rangers than the local Sindh Government.

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Engr. khan

Dec 22, 2015 08:55pm

Stern action shall be taken against Sindh government for ignorance of rules and misusing authority for conditional Rangers power.

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Saeed Masood

Dec 22, 2015 09:01pm

Thanks to God...this the only hope left to save Sindh and Karachi...Wish you Rangers extreme success and good luck...Ameen

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shdhsn

Dec 22, 2015 09:02pm

To remove doubts on the intention of PML(N), the option should be conducted in all provinces included capital.

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Usman

Dec 22, 2015 09:03pm

Police has failed to enforce peace in Karachi. Karachi needs Rangers who operate without political influence.

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Patriot

Dec 22, 2015 09:05pm

I have got to salute this decision, a decision for the betterment of our nation as a whole. Love you Nisar, though I am a hardcore PTI supporter.

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Rahim

Dec 22, 2015 09:10pm

Interior ministry has no authority to command provincial govt to jump like this. Sindh assembly passed a resolution and has constitutional right to have foresight on the powers of paramilitary law enforcement agencies.

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Larka

Dec 22, 2015 09:13pm

Really tit for tat answer by Federal Govt to Sindh Government. Extension with full power.

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Majid Ali

Dec 22, 2015 09:21pm

@Rahim Please go back and educate yourself before post these false comments....

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noshin

Dec 22, 2015 09:27pm

good move

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harith

Dec 22, 2015 09:29pm

Way to go Ch Nisar!!

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noshin

Dec 22, 2015 09:29pm

Salam and Rabi-ul-Awal mubarak to all military and paramilitary personnels..........

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Malik USA

Dec 22, 2015 09:34pm

I am agreed with all comments in-favor the power given to Rangers to maintain law and order and results are also coming. At the same time my question is why our law enforcement agencies have left Punjab. As if that everything is fine and no corruption is there. We all know all Talibanisation still have rooted there. They have flourish there and they get financed within the province. No operation against Lal Masjid,

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Kamran

Dec 22, 2015 09:35pm

very very mild response...

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fahd

Dec 22, 2015 09:37pm

great work

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Changez_Khan

Dec 22, 2015 09:43pm

There should be NO time limit, Rangers should stay for as long as needed.

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ayub

Dec 22, 2015 09:45pm

As the police has failed miserably in controlling the law and order situation. The Rangers are the most appropriate alternative, in the meanwhile.

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Ejaz Ahmed

Dec 22, 2015 09:54pm

Keep up the good work. Catch all the criminals of the Sind Government. First catch the CM of Sind and then others. Chaudhry Nisar, you are doing a good job. I am a PTI supporter but I still love you.

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Mr. President

Dec 22, 2015 10:00pm

Thank You General Raheel, only the military establishment can bring peace in this country, the politicians have failed again and again.

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Dec 22, 2015 10:31pm

Great, excellent. Now Ch. Nisar any updates on murderers of innocent people of Lahore in model town masacre? Those murderers are still roaming freely. Just a reminder Pakistan is beyond urban sindh as well.

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Shah

Dec 22, 2015 10:51pm

Salute to Ch. Nisar Ali Khan a brave and loyal son of Pakistan. We are proud of you. We suggest, next time when you extend the period of the Sindh Rangers policing powers, extend it to the maximum limit.

Recommend 0

Dare

Dec 22, 2015 10:51pm

Is Ranger bound by Sind resolution and if not, will there be a legal fight?

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Lighthouse

Dec 22, 2015 10:56pm

Eagerly waiting for Zardari's response.

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Ash20

Dec 22, 2015 11:00pm

This is killing democracy and federal govt. should put governor rule instead of taking un-democratic decisions indirectly. Though governor rule will also kill nascent democracy. Now, you have made sure the win of PPP in next Sindh elections.

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FNZ

Dec 22, 2015 11:09pm

Intellect decision. Should be extended to 365 days at least once.

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kirther

Dec 22, 2015 11:11pm

Well people still remember the role of PPP and Zulfiquar Ali Bhutto after the elections in 1971, they played their role role in dismemberment of Pakistan, now again they want to divide the remaining Pakistan.

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najeeb

Dec 22, 2015 11:13pm

Federal minister sitting in Punjab house taking decision against the resolution passed by Sind Assembly. Its a beginning of a new debate!

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ibs

Dec 22, 2015 11:35pm

All the wealth and job creators in Karachi support this operation. It is vital for businessmen to run successful businesses for the betterment of Pakistan. They export products, hire millions of people and pay taxes. The ones who create NO WEALTH and instead usurp the wealth created by the nation are the ones that oppose this operation.

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Abdulla Hussain

Dec 22, 2015 11:42pm

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali khan a big thanks to you sir from the peoples of Karachi. Irrespective of who he is or which party he belongs, a person responsible for any negative activity should be punished. After a very long time some good is seen in the horizon, please keep it up, Chaudhry Sahib please withstand all internal & external pressure that may come to you. 99.5% of the masses are with your action to clean Karachi of all vices.

Recommend 0

Houlbelat

Dec 22, 2015 11:49pm

Rangers get another chance. This time, they should fix the culprit firmly and not give him any chance to get a break.

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Irfan

Dec 22, 2015 11:53pm

@shdhsn In whichever province the operation is carried out it will benefit the common people of that province. I have no problem if it starts from my city and province that is Karchi, Sindh and clean it up.

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Omar Essa

Dec 23, 2015 12:10am

Now Zardari would not come for Benazir Barsi.. Good Job keep it up!! They should also expand their operations to interior Sindh as well.

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aftab

Dec 23, 2015 12:12am

Who are they fooling....themselves or public....Keep up the good work, Rangers! I have lived my whole life in Karachi and am looking forward to come back to my beloved city in Jan 2016.

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MUHAMMAD USMAN KHAN

Dec 23, 2015 12:31am

Bravo

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preentrytest.com

Dec 23, 2015 12:50am

What ever the case may be, the provincial assembly is a constitutional assembly and its members are elected members. Any letter sent by the provincial minister can not be rejected by a federal minster outrightly. This means the federation is controlled by one province.

Recommend 0

umar

Dec 23, 2015 12:53am

Weldon Sir

Recommend 0

Dec 23, 2015 12:55am

As a nation, we are under pressure and rightly so to eliminate terrorism and corruption and we must do all which is necessary to accomplish the worthy goals but that should never be at the cost of democracy, individual freedom and public consent. Expediency is not the answer. Blank check to the government agencies (Federal or Provincial) with unlimited powers over the citizens is ridiculous and is an insult to the nation. Those who advocate unlimited powers on behalf of the government deserve neither security nor freedom.

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zaheedmalik

Dec 23, 2015 12:55am

Wonderful

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Saad

Dec 23, 2015 01:05am

@Ash20 Sindhis are condemned to elect PPP again and again despite their failure to deliver anything substantial. They can keep doing it but peace will return to Karachi whether PPP want it or not. First it was MQM, now it's PPP.

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Someone

Dec 23, 2015 01:14am

GO GO POWER RANGERS!!! Long live Nisar!

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Someone

Dec 23, 2015 01:21am

@Ash20 democracy is for developed nations, developing and underdeveloped nations need a quasi democracy like this, such veto powers need to be exercised sometimes for the betterment of the country! Otherwise parties like MQM and PPP will eat us alive.

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Ejaz Karim

Dec 23, 2015 01:44am

Keep it up. Good job Nisar.

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Muslim Medina

Dec 23, 2015 03:29am

Welcome news. However Ch. Nisar Ali should carefully monitor Rangers' activities making sure that the Rangers work within the allowable limits.

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Noshin

Dec 23, 2015 03:42am

Thumb up rangers!

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Noshin

Dec 23, 2015 03:42am

Good job......

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uk- expat

Dec 23, 2015 03:45am

thank you ch. Nisar. please keep up the good work.

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Rehan Hussain

Dec 23, 2015 04:24am

Sindh Government must consider the option to establish a separate force under Ministry of Interior to combat law and order situation inside and for the province in place of Rangers!

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Yousuf

Dec 23, 2015 05:25am

A very courageous action taken by Ch Nisar after allowing reasonable time to Sindh Govt,for which he qualifies for congrats and thanks from the people of Sindh.Since Sindh Govt was curtailing the powers of Rangers, it was in fact smearing all the efforts of Rangers through which they restore peace and law and order in Sindh .As far as powers of Rangers are concerned (even in absence of any notification)they do have powers to act against any threat to 'internal security'this power is inherent,and inalienable ,

Recommend 0

Dec 23, 2015 06:41am

All noora kushti, nothing will happen I can bet

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Humaid Khan

Dec 23, 2015 06:51am

Great decision by Nisar and the Interior Ministry. Instead of extending the power of Rangers for 60 days we should give the Rangers extension of their power for 1 to 2 years at a time. We should also extend the scope of their powers and includes corruptions issues. Kind regards Humaid

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Haque Parast

Dec 23, 2015 08:44am

Might is Right! Man with stick controls the herd! My way or the high way!

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Pakistan_Says

Dec 23, 2015 09:15am

Pretty good news.

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Asif Ullah

Dec 23, 2015 09:20am

Good Action, MQM washed out from Karachi. If this process is continue accordingly. And prosperity may be incurred in the future.

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Tariq

Dec 23, 2015 09:26am

If Federal Government had the powers and constitution protect their actions then why Sind regime was given this task which makes mockery for that long period.

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Jamil

Dec 25, 2015 11:52am

Interior Minister Thank you for your good decision about Ranger power in sind, before ranger dozens of peoples die in target killing every day, karachi city shutdown due to strikes in every 2nd day, worker people effected , traders also was in problem. Once again We are thankful of ch.Nisar for good decision.

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PPP reacts

Interior ministry responds

Read more