KARACHI: Sindh government issued notification stating that Sindh Rangers is deployed under Article 147 to assist the civil administration and is responsible for security of CM House, Governor House, courts, assembly, oil refinery, airport, Bilawal House and all important installations.
The Chief Minister after holding consultation with his legal aides signed the summary extending Rangers’ powers. However, the fresh notification has curbed Rangers special policing powers.
As per the notification, under per the Article 147, the paramilitary force is responsible for the security of the CM house, Governor house, courts, assembly, oil refinery, airport, and all important installations.
The notification further states that the security of educational institutions including universities and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) also falls under the Rangers’ domain.
“The Rangers were granted these powers on August 1, 2016,” the notification said. “According to the August 2016 notification, the paramilitary force has the authority of patrolling, picket, and providing backup support to police personnel.”
However, Rangers sources made it clear that Article 147 did not provide special policing powers to the paramilitary forces.
They said that the paramilitary forces has called back all Rangers personnel deployed in the city, on snap-checking duties and engaged in search operation to the headquarters. The Rangers high-ups have instructed force no Ranegrs mobile will venture out from the headquarters, or indulged in snap-checking and operation till further orders.
