Paramilitary Rangers to continue policing Karachi, says minister

Islamabad, July 09 (ANI): Pakistan’s Home Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan expressed concerns over criticism against the deployment of Rangers in Karachi, saying the paramilitary force is working in accordance with the law. On November 10 last year, the Sindh government had, through a notification under the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Act, allowed the Rangers to detain any suspect for 90 days in their custody with the permission of the court and for further interrogations for 120 days. These powers were extended in March this year for further 120 days. The Rangers operation in Karachi started late in 2013, when the crime rate in the teeming port city soared. The powers Rangers enjoyed in Karachi after the Pakistan Protection Ordinance will expire at midnight. Addressing a news conference hours before the expiry of a deadline in the special powers assigned to Rangers in Sindh, Khan said the centre has been communicating with the provincial government on the issue of the extension of the Rangers’ operation.