Karachi (Staff Report): An important session of the Sindh Cabinet will be held today (Saturday) to decide on extending the Rangers' special policing powers in Sindh.
Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah called the session which is scheduled to be start at 4 PM.
The special policing powers granted to Pakistan Rangers Sindh in Karachi, for a period of three months, expired on Friday, April 14.
Earlier in January, the Sindh government had approved a 90-day extension in Rangers' special powers in Karachi. The notification granting powers to the paramilitary force took effect from January 16, 2017.
The special policing powers under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997 allow Pakistan Rangers Sindh to carry out raids and arrest suspects. Rangers have had been granted these powers to scale down terrorism, extortion, kidnappings for ransom, target killings and other crimes in Karachi, which has long been plagued by violence, mafias and criminal gangs.
The Home Department of Sindh forwarded a summary of extension to Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah on April 5, which is pending approval.
