KARACHI: A law officer of the Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, on Wednesday decided to step down and sent a resignation letter to the home department.

Special public prosecutor Ghulam Shabbir Babar was among the nine law officers hired on a contractual basis for the paramilitary force during the ongoing targeted operation in Karachi to plead cases before the antiterrorism courts on behalf of the Rangers.

Mr Babar said he had been associated with the Rangers for the past 22 months. He said he sent his resignation letter to the provincial home department, citing “personal reasons” for the resignation.

Dispelling the impression that he decided to quit due to any pressure or security concerns, the senior lawyer said he was not willing to continue as counsel for the Rangers and was going to resume private practice.

Sources close to the prosecutor said he had repeatedly made requests for security, but to no avail.

They said the salaries of the Rangers prosecutors were being released after an inordinate delay. Besides, they were overburdened because of the ongoing operation, they added.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2015

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