Stalemate over Rangers’ powers persists

Corps commander visits chief minister amid tensions between civilian, military leaders

The corps commander of Karachi yesterday called on Syed Qaim Ali Shah, the provincial chief minister, as tension mounts between the civilian government and the military authorities over the special powers of the Paramilitary Rangers.

Major-General Naveed Mukhtar visited the chief minister and discussed the law and order situation as well as the Karachi operation. Senior provincial minister Murad Ali Shah was also present at the meeting.

The corps commander’s visit came as a tacit row between civilian and military authorities continued for a fifth day after the Rangers’ powers expired in the province.

Under the law the provincial Sindh assembly should ratify the Rangers’ special powers every four months. The latest approval expired on December 5.

The special powers authorise the Rangers to take any suspect into 90 days’ custody, and to raid anywhere they see fit.

The provincial government of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) remained apprehensive after the arrest of Dr Asim Hussain, one of the party’s ministers, and many civil servants and bureaucrats.

The leaders of the party privately expressed concerns over the “high handedness” of the Rangers and considered the raids on officials as crossing designated limits.

Parliament meeting

The Rangers, officials, deprived of their policing powers, were doing snap-checks on the different spots in the city.

However, the governor had convened the meeting of the provincial parliament yesterday, which met but did not take up the issue of the Rangers’ powers.

It also did not take up a resolution by the Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI), which the party submitted this week, seeking extension of the Rangers’ Powers in the province.

Instead, the Assembly offered condolence prayers for two PPP leaders who died recently.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday presided over a meeting in Karachi. The top military brass, including army chief General Raheel Sharif, was also part of the meeting in which the issue of Rangers’ powers was expected to be resolved.

Media reports suggested the provincial government of the PPP was aspiring for a trimming of some of the powers so the paramilitary force could be confined to carrying out its operation against criminals, militants, and terrorists.

The provincial Assembly is likely to take up the Rangers issue today. It was not clear whether it would give its approval.