The policing powers of Rangers were extended by 30 days by the provincial administration after co-chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Asif Ali Zardari directed the Sindh Government to do so. Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah said that the provincial assembly will deliberate on confirmation of powers and deployment of Rangers in urban centers under Article 147 of the Constitution later. Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad had earlier also thrown his weight behind Rangers by saying that the entire nation is united and stands by the law enforcement agencies for peace. DG Rangers Major-General Bilal Akbar also once again reiterated his resolve to make Karachi a crime-free and peaceful city during his meeting with the Governor.
There was uncertainty regarding the situation earlier this week after Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain and Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah raised questions regarding the role of Rangers.
Since the start of the Rangers operation in Sindh in late 2013 5,795 operations have been conducted and 10,353 suspects have been apprehended ranging from street criminals to hardcore terrorists. Further data shows that amongst those arrested include 826 terrorists, 334 hit men, 296 extortionists and 82 kidnappers. Despite criticism from certain parties namely MQM and PPP the Rangers operation has been a massive success. Extortion, killings, kidnappings were at an all time high when the operation started and many businessmen were fleeing the city to settle in Dubai, Lahore and Islamabad but the operation had almost eliminated extortion and kidnappings from the city. The Rangers have nabbed many high profile terrorists and target killers from the city responsible for the death of hundreds of innocent citizens. In addition to eliminating crime the Rangers have also linked the massive corruption in the city to certain political parties which has angered them.
The Rangers operation has been a great success and has cleansed Karachi from extortion, kidnappings and killings.