KARACHI: The special powers given to Rangers under the Anti-Terrorism Act expire on Sunday midnight.
Under the National Action Plan (NAP) and the Anti-Terrorism Act, the Rangers were authorised to conduct targeted operations against any heinous elements, such as terrorism, targeted killing, kidnapping for ransom and extortion.
These special powers expire on January 15, midnight. The operation was launched in September 2013. Rangers’ powers have been extended in the past. Since last year however; the extension duration has been shortened.
In November 2014, the Rangers were granted powers till July 2015, but in July the powers were only extended for 30-day, while restricting the jurisdiction only to Karachi. In August, the powers were again extended for a period of four months.
