Sindh Assembly approves resolution extending Rangers powers for one year

KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Friday unanimously approved a resolution extending the powers of the Rangers in the province for another year, saying their presence remained necessary to maintain law and order and tackle security threats.

The resolution said that a decline in target killings and street crime was the result of effective operations by the Rangers, which have worked alongside police in intelligence-based operations against criminal elements.

It said activities of proscribed organisations and the presence of absconding suspects continued to pose security threats, making the Rangers’ role important for protecting lives and property and maintaining public order.

The resolution said that the Rangers had played an important role in intelligence-based operations in coordination with police and that their actions against criminal elements had contributed to an improvement in the law and order situation.

The assembly unanimously approved the extension of the Rangers’ powers for one year.

The provincial legislature also unanimously passed several bills, including legislation establishing Fatima University in Karachi, an amendment bill relating to Iqra University and an amendment to the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Human Research and Development Board.

Sindh Law Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar introduced the amendment bill relating to the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Human Research and Development Board, which was approved unanimously by the house.

Assembly pays tribute to Quaid-e-Azam

The Sindh Assembly also unanimously passed a resolution paying tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, for his leadership and political struggle for the creation of Pakistan.

The resolution said that Muslims of the subcontinent had waged a historic struggle under Jinnah’s leadership for an independent homeland and paid tribute to his services and leadership in the creation of Pakistan.

Sharjeel raises power, gas and water concerns

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon expressed concern over persistent problems related to electricity, gas and water supplies in the province, criticising power distribution companies and other service providers.

Memon said that K-Electric, Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) and other entities had failed to adequately address public grievances, arguing that simply establishing a department and collecting bills did not constitute effective service delivery.

He said the problems extended beyond electricity to gas and water, alleging that Sindh was not receiving its due share of gas and water and faced discriminatory treatment in gas supplies.

Memon also questioned whether an effective mechanism existed to determine which consumers were paying their electricity bills.

He said some areas of Sindh were facing up to 18 hours of load shedding during periods of extreme heat, citing Jacobabad as an example where prolonged power outages were adding to residents’ difficulties.

The issues of electricity, gas and water supply have remained a longstanding source of political and public concern in Sindh, with the provincial government repeatedly raising objections over the performance of power distribution companies and the gas supply system.