A proposal by the Rangers to set up separate policing structure with powers to prosecute criminals in Sindh, has been turned down by the Supreme Court (SC). The Rangers had requested the SC to direct the Sindh government to allow them to set up their own police stations with powers of registration of FIRs, investigation and submission of charge-sheets besides extension of its power under the anti-terrorism law on a yearly basis instead of 90 or 120 days. However, the provincial government submitted that anti-terrorism act does not envisage any provision as to the timeframe of continuing to solicit assistance from the Rangers while the request for setting up Rangers’ police stations involves constitutional and legal intricacies that would need to be addressed with due diligence and care.
No doubt, the Rangers operation has made a considerable impact on the overall law and order situation in Karachi compared to the lawlessness that was a hallmark of the city before the launch of the operation. The operation has brought about a steep decline in crime in Karachi with cases of terrorism, targeted killings, extortion and kidnapping for ransom down by half in 2015 in comparison with the previous two years. The Rangers were deployed in Karachi because of the poor policing situation in the port 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 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 meddle in civilian affairs? Who will supervise the operation and take necessary corrective measures? In fact the Rangers are becoming a rival party to the Sindh government. At present, no rules are being followed while a rift is deepening between the Sindh government and establishment over the mandate of the Rangers.
The handling of crime, law and order and other social ills is the purview of the provincial government and not the Rangers. If this type of intervention continues, it would only result in destabilisation of the whole system. The concerned authorities need to wake up and take up their responsibilities of fixing those problems that have invited intervention by the armed forces in the shape of the Rangers. The Rangers need to take politicians on board regarding the operation and need to address their genuine concerns along with the continuation of the operation. The matter must be sorted out by the federal and provincial governments in the apex committee on the Karachi situation. The government needs to depoliticise police and grant them powers to deal with criminals efficiently and without any pressure. The SC has rightly said that granting powers to the Rangers is not in its jurisdiction as it requires legislative intervention to avoid any complication. Judiciary is an institution which only interprets the laws while framing laws falls within the domain of the legislature or parliament. The military establishment needs to take the civilian government into confidence. At the same time, there is a need to improve the police structure in the city. No military operation can go on forever. Rather, a strong civilian set-up is needed that could maintain law and order on its own. *