While expressing serious concerns over the delay in extension in the special policing powers of Rangers in Sindh, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Tuesday said the delay in providing legal cover to the actions of Rangers would badly affect the ongoing operation in Karachi.

In a letter to Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Nisar said the Chief Minister should exercise his powers to solve the issue of extension in the special policing powers of Rangers in Sindh.

"The delay in extension in the mandate of Rangers would not only affect the ongoing operation Karachi but would also demoralise civil armed forces as well as negatively affect their performance," he said.

He regretted that the Sindh government has always shown delaying tactics on the issue of extension of mandate of Rangers in the province.

It was the joint responsibility of the federal and provincial governments to remove bottlenecks and hurdles in the way of taking Karachi operation to its logical conclusion which was started as a result of political consensus, he said.

In the letter, he said that Rangers played a key role in maintaining law and order in Sindh, especially in Karachi and restored normalcy. The Rangers launched an operation against militants and criminals in Karachi in 2013.

The federal Cabinet had empowered Rangers to lead a targeted action with the support of police against criminals involved in targeted killings, kidnappings for ransom, extortion and terrorism in Karachi. Previously, the paramilitary force's powers were extended from May 4 till July 19.

Meanwhile, the Director General (DG) Rangers also telephoned Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and discussed the Rangers powers issue with him.  -Business Recorder