Summary The Ministry of Interior could issue a notification regarding extension in Rangers' powers.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – The federal government could take matter of extension in Sindh Rangers’ policing powers into own hand if the provincial government failed to do so, Dunya News reported.
According to the law ministry sources, the Ministry of Interior could issue a notification regarding extension in Rangers’ powers under the Protection of Pakistan Ordinance (PPO).
Sources further told that Rangers’ powers in Sindh fall into the category of criminal law and evidence, thus, the federations’ law is superior over the provincial law in this regard.
Earlier on Tuesday, Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that extension to Rangers is subject to permission from Sindh Assembly.
A day earlier, the Chief Minister had assured of extending the powers of Rangers in the meeting of Sindh Apex Committee.
READ MORE: Extension for Rangers subject to permission from Sindh Assembly
The deadline for Rangers to exercise exclusive policing powers in the city of Karachi ended on December 5 as the Sindh government failed to provide the extension.
The special powers to arrest and conduct raids were provided to Rangers under the Anti-Terrorism Act and were part of the ongoing operation against terrorists and criminal elements in the city.
Previously, these powers were extended every 3 months via notification by the Sindh government; however the provincial government was unable to submit the request to the Federal government this time around.
Karachi, a sprawling city of roughly 20 million, has long had a reputation for high crime rates as well as ethnic, political and sectarian violence.
Overall levels of militant, criminal and sectarian-linked violence have decreased significantly since paramilitary forces began a sweeping crackdown in 2013.
