IT is an enduring law of governance that the more you depend on external sources for help and support, the more your own institutions continue to become atrophied, dysfunctional and incapable of standing on their own feet. The Sindh government’s perennial ratification of the continued deployment of Rangers is a case in point.

Sindh Police is the primary institution responsible for law and order, apprehension of criminals, recovering illegal arms and preventing crime. Sadly, its performance has declined with each passing year, as the department increasingly falls back on another organisation for support in every difficult situation — real or imaginary.

Needless to say, the situation has also had a negative impact on the Rangers. It is time we depoliticised Sindh Police and transformed it into a professional body capable of handling all its mandated tasks with competence and efficiency.

Naeem Sadiq
Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2026