KARACHI: Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah on Saturday extended the special powers granted to Pakistan Rangers Sindh by 120 days.

Special policing powers which were assigned to the Rangers according to the Anti-Terrorism act in the province, were earlier extended for a month on July 8, expired today.

The chief minister while announcing the development expressed hope that Rangers personnel will continue to work with the same spirit and passion in the city.

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Earlier, the Sindh government in July also extended the Rangers stay by one year to help police and civil administration in Karachi.

According to the recently compiled figures, since September 5, 2013 when the federal government decided to launch the Rangers-led ‘targeted-operation’ in Karachi with the provincial government consent, the paramilitary force has conducted some 5,795 operations and apprehended 10,353 suspects that ranged from street criminals to terrorists.

“During these operations, the Rangers recovered some 7,312 weapons of different caliber,” said a source citing details of the figures. “Among the arrested persons, 826 are terrorists, 334 hit men, 296 extortionists and 82 are kidnappers. Of the arrested suspects, 4,950 have already been handed over to the police for further investigation and legal process,” the source added.

The deployment of Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, in Karachi is requisitioned under Article 147 of the Constitution, and under Clause 1 of Sub-section 3 of Section 4 of Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, authorised to prevent the commission of terrorist acts, or scheduled offences in notified area for the punishment of terrorist in accordance with the provision of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.

Called in 1989 to assist the police in Karachi by the then PPP-led government amid a deteriorating law and order situation, the Rangers started enjoying more powers in 2009 — again extended by PPP-led governments both in the centre and the province, which allowed the force to search houses and arrest suspects without warrants.

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