Daily Times

An extension in the deployment of the Rangers in Karachi for 30 more days is not entirely an unexpected development. According to media reports, the decision was taken after former President Asif Zardari made a phone call to Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah from Dubai asking him to extend the stay of the Rangers. On Tuesday, the Sindh Chief Minister had categorically said that under the 18th Amendment, the provincial government was bound to seek the provincial Assembly’s approval before allowing the Rangers to continue working in Karachi. However, the very next day, approval has been granted to an extension in the Rangers’ deployment without seeking the Sindh Assembly’s endorsement. More surprising is the changed attitude of Asif Zardari, who is now calling for strengthening civil-military relations after his recent tirade against the military. The extension in the presence of the paramilitary forces in Karachi was inevitable, as the federal and military leadership has reached a consensus on purging the largest city of the country of all kinds of crimes and terrorist activities. It is also a clear message to all that any act aimed at destabilising peace in the port city will not be tolerated. After years and years of instability as well as the poor law and order situation that was getting out of control day by day, an operation clean up against criminals, extortionists and terrorists had become necessary. It has been alleged that almost all criminal and militant elements have links with mainstream political parties in Karachi. Therefore it has also become necessary to shut off the sources of their funding.
Another reason for the intervention of the Rangers, backed by the military, in Karachi is the poor police set-up of the city. The police have never been allowed to take stringent action against criminals and extortionists due to political influence. With scanty forces and resources, the police department has failed to maintain peace in such a big city. In these circumstances, the Rangers have been given special powers to bring down the crime rate and curb terrorist activities. They have been authorised to take action without discrimination against all those who are found involved in any wrongdoing. Political parties have shown reservations over the free hand given to the Rangers. Mainly, the PPP and the MQM have opposed the presence of the Rangers. MQM chief Altaf Hussain has suggested that a public referendum should be held on the Rangers’ operation in Karachi. The PPP is also panicked due to the Rangers’ raids on government departments. A raid on the Sindh Building Control Authority by the Rangers has upset the PPP leadership. Perhaps the PPP fears that the continuation of such a campaign could ultimately lead to the higher ups. The Sindh Chief Minister has conveyed his reservations to Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, but the Centre is not willing to pull out the Rangers from Karachi. It can be said that the Sindh government has extended the Rangers’ policing powers only for a month as a temporary measure to avoid the imminent lapsing of their mandate. Within this month, the Sindh Assembly will have to take up and be asked to endorse a further extension of the Rangers’ presence in the city.
Karachi has been undergoing a critical situation that demands pursuing to its logical conclusion the operation against criminals, target killers and terrorists. The complications in Karachi have necessitated the use of forceful action to clear up the mess. Karachi has become a festering wound that needs radical surgery. According to reports, the crime rate and target killings have been reduced considerably due to the joint operations by the law enforcement agencies led by the Rangers. Till the restoration of peace, the paramilitary forces should be allowed to continue the operation. However, the Rangers cannot be expected to guard the city forever. The provincial government needs to reform its policing and law enforcement structure. It needs to depoliticise the police for ensuring action without discrimination against all criminals and terrorists. At the same time, if any political party or its members have links with criminals or terrorists, they will have to sever such ties. *