Street crimes surge in Karachi as extension of Rangers' power undecided

Dunya News

The higher security officials are continuously denying the intense situation in the metropolis.

KARACHI (Dunya News) – An enormous rise in street crimes has been observed as police officers handed over the law and order situation in Karachi after expiration of Rangers’ authorities.

It’s been almost a week that Karachiites are deprived of Rangers’ special power. Fortunately, no big untoward mishap has been occurred so far but the gangsters and criminals are roaming in the city freely.

Keeping in view the mount in criminal activities, political, social and trading sectors have demanded the provincial government and federation to make the special authorities of Rangers permanent in Karachi. They said that life and property of the locals are at stake but higher security officials are continuously denying this intense situation.

On April 14, Rangers’ special powers expired by the Pakistan Peoples Party-led Sindh government had given no signal on the matter. A summary seeking 90-day extension in Rangers’ special powers was forwarded to Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah on 5th April but he had not signed it.

Sindh Rangers Director General (DG) Major General Mohammad Saeed wrote a letter to the Interior Secretary, stating that Rangers would only be able to secure four out of twelve sensitive areas in Karachi due to the limitations in troops.

Under the National Action Plan and the Anti-Terrorism Act, the federal cabinet had empowered the Rangers to lead a targeted operation with the support of police against criminals involved in targeted killings, kidnappings for ransom, extortion and terrorism in Karachi.

The Rangers operation was launched in September 2013 in Karachi and situation in metropolis had improved significantly.