KARACHI: Pakistan Rangers Sindh in a statement released on Friday said that the peaceful atmosphere created by Karachi’s extensive security operation has ensured peace and tranquillity on Independence Day.

“Due to extensive security arrangements and the peaceful environment created by Rangers operations in the city, the people of Karachi have came out in large numbers to celebrate Independence Day with zeal and fervour,” said a Rangers official.

In their statement, the Rangers also quoted Chairman All Karachi Tajir Ittehad who said sales recorded on August 14, 2015, crossed Rs5billion, which had broken sales records of the day for the past 40 years.

The paramilitary force provided fool proof security to celebrations held to mark the 69th Independence day of Pakistan in Karachi.

According to recently compiled figures, since September 5, 2013 when the federal government decided to launch the Rangers-led ‘targeted-operation’ in Karachi with the provincial government consent, the paramilitary force has conducted some 5,795 operations and apprehended 10,353 suspects that ranged from street criminals to terrorists.

The deployment of Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, in Karachi is requisitioned under Article 147 of the Constitution, and under Clause 1 of Sub-section 3 of Section 4 of Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, authorised to prevent the commission of terrorist acts, or scheduled offences in notified area for the punishment of terrorist in accordance with the provision of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.

Called in 1989 to assist the police in Karachi by the then PPP-led government amid a deteriorating law and order situation, the Rangers started enjoying more powers in 2009 — again extended by PPP-led governments both in the centre and the province, which allowed the force to search houses and arrest suspects without warrants.