Rangers' stay extended for another year

The Sindh Assembly on Friday unanimously approved a one-year extension of Rangers' deployment and powers in the province, citing the paramilitary force's role in improving law and order and curbing target killings and street crime. Under a resolution adopted by the House, Rangers will remain deployed in Sindh from July 20, 2026 to July 19, 2027 to assist the civil administration under Article 147 of the Constitution. The resolution stated that the continued deployment was necessary given the province's law and order situation. It maintained that Rangers' operations had helped reduce target killings and street crime, while activities of proscribed organisations and absconding suspects continued to pose security threats. It said Rangers' presence was essential for protecting public peace and the lives and property of citizens. The force had also played an important role in intelligence-based operations in coordination with police, it added. The House also unanimously passed a resolution paying tribute to Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on his 78th death anniversary. The resolution was jointly moved by lawmakers from the PPP, MQM-P, Jamaat-e-Islami and PTI. The resolution paid homage to the Founder of Pakistan for his historic struggle for the creation of Pakistan under his leadership. During the proceedings, Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Muhammad Farooq praised police for arresting the suspect allegedly involved in an attack on University of Karachi professor Dr Arif Khan Saqi. He said the Home Department's standing committee had directed authorities a day earlier to arrest the suspect within 24 hours. Farooq also called for an immediate end to what he termed the "daala culture" in the metropolis. The session was later adjourned until 3pm on Monday. Later speaking to reporters outside the assembly, Provincial Labour Minister Saeed Ghani said the extension of Rangers' deployment was not new, noting that the paramilitary force had been deployed in Sindh for decades. "Rangers have been in Sindh for 30 to 40 years, and a law is required for this purpose, which is fulfilled," he added. The minister stressed that maintaining law and order was primarily the responsibility of police, while Rangers were deployed to support the force. He added that Rangers were also present in other provinces and were performing their assigned role. On the issue of new administrative units, Ghani said the National Assembly and Senate could debate matters relating to a province and pass resolutions, but any decision would ultimately require approval from the relevant provincial assembly. He said the Sindh Assembly had already rejected a resolution concerning the province, leaving no need for another resolution to be moved in the National Assembly, although discussions on the matter could continue. "Discussions can take place in hotels and universities, so why not in assemblies?" Ghani said.