During his visit to the Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) Headquarters, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif renewed commitment to continue an across-the-board operation, focusing on networks of terrorists, and their abettors and financiers, till the objective of peace and restoration of normalcy was achieved in all parts of Karachi. However, the statement did not outline the policy that would be applied by the army to flush out terrorists and other mafias from the port city. Despite criticism to the contrary, there is no doubt that the Rangers operation has made a considerable impact on the overall law and order situation in Karachi compared to the lawlessness that was the hallmark of the city before the launch of the operation, but the phenomenon of crimes and target killings have not ended yet. And to assume that there is a possibility of achieving that is merely wishful thinking. Through his latest statement, General Sharif has conveyed the military’s message that there would be no let-up in the Rangers-led operation in Karachi. While endorsing the COAS’s resolve to continue the fight till its logical end, there is, however, the need to have a substantial, long-term policy to deal with the issue of terrorism. Rangers need to take politicians on board regarding the operation, and keep them in the loop to address their genuine concerns along with progress made in the operation. The mission to purge Karachi of all types of militants, criminals and target killers may be utopian but a great deal can be achieved if the mechanism is workable on a long-term basis. And the fundamental step is to upgrade the police structure in the city. No military operation can go on interminably, and it is imperative that the civilian institutions are strengthened to keep not just the momentum going but also to turn that into a permanent mechanism. The Rangers were deployed in Karachi because of the poor policing situation in the city. The idea was that the Rangers would help maintain peace until the police become efficient enough to deal with the poor law and order situation, a dream that has not come true since 1989 when the Rangers were earlier posted in Karachi. Rather, the Rangers have ended up becoming a police force in military uniform. How can a military force take up the role of a civilian institution? How can the Rangers ensure dissemination of justice when it is not their mandate to run civilian affairs? Who will supervise the operation and take necessary corrective measures? How unchecked powers of Rangers would affect the provincial autonomy? Without further ado, there must be the implementation of a strong civilian and judicial system, which working on securing the city and providing a foolproof legal system to the people of Karachi would be within the developmental framework to make Karachi the vibrant, dynamic city it once was. The hydra of Karachi’s ills — sectarianism; ethnic wars; militias working under the patronage of political parties; extortion, land-grabbing and kidnapping mafias; faith-based killings; political and other targeted killings — would keep rearing its head until the civilian government, law enforcement agencies and judiciary do not work as an empowered unit. And the army can play its role in the formation of that unit without making any effort to subvert the powers of the civilian government. *