Recently in Karachi, the Sindh Rangers personnel opened fire on a taxi driver, killing him instantly. Rangers personnel had signalled the taxi to stop but the driver didn’t.

The four-year-old son accompanying the taxi driver luckily remained unhurt in the firing.

Earlier, on June 5, the Rangers personnel had also allegedly shot dead an unarmed youth when he did not stop his car in Shah Faisal Colony, Karachi.

The paramilitary force was basically raised for border security on the eastern border of Sindh; perform defence duties at the time of war and, additionally, assist the Sindh government in internal security.

Also, its main role is to reinforce the police. While the police department works round the clock in dealing with the public, the Rangers have a dual role.

However, the dual roles seem confusing to the Rangers. The killing of the taxi driver was illegal; it is a professional misconduct on the part of law-enforcers where they kill people without giving them the right to fair trial.

The incidents are also a violation of Sindh Rangers’ Code of Conduct which says: “Crackdown for criminals and terrorists, patronage and protection for the peace-loving citizens, with an absolutely impartial approach along with courteous and polite attitude combined with the motto, respect all.”

The Sindh Rangers are being governed by Rangers Ordinance 1959; so it is necessary for the relevant authorities to sensitise the Rangers personnel of the Police Order 2002 and other special laws while assigning Rangers personnel with additional powers of the police.

The authorities must urge their personnel to protect state and citizens in accordance with the law.

I request the authorities concerned to devise a legal framework and constitute a separate fact-finding commission for such incidents to avoid such incidents.

OMER HASSAN KHAN Jhelum