KARACHI, June 19: Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik has assured Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, that the facilities and privileges allowed to its personnel are not being taken back but called upon the paramilitary force to fulfil its responsibilities with dedication.

The interior minister stated this while co-chairing a meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah at the Chief Minister’s House on Sunday.

The meeting, attended among others by the chiefs of Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, and provincial and city police, reviewed law and order in the metropolis and security steps to ensure trouble-free election of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Assembly seats in Sindh.

A briefing on the PNS Mehran and Saudi consulate incidents was also given at the meeting. The participants expressed satisfaction over the course of investigation of the two incidents. The police chief was, however, instructed to complete the investigation at the earliest.

It was decided that Rangers and police should devise a joint strategy to ensure transparent and trouble-free election of the AJK Assembly seats in Sindh.

It was also decided that Rangers would be deployed at the polling stations to ensure fair elections without any interference in the process, while the media would be permitted to monitor the activities around the polling stations.

It was further decided that the Election Commission of Pakistan would be provided full assistance as per its requirements to make the election free, fair and transparent.

The federal minister said the government was aware that Rangers were working for maintaining law and order in the metropolis without any discrimination and offering a helping hand to the police department. “It is, however, our utmost endeavour that efforts should be made by Rangers that they fulfil all the responsibilities with full dedication,” he said.

Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah appreciated efforts of the federal interior minister for his active role and support in terms of intelligence sharing and provision of Rangers to the Sindh government to maintain law and order.

On the occasion, the chief minister also announced setting up of a “Shuhada Fund” for the law-enforcement agencies.

While lauding the services of the Rangers in curbing targeted killings in Karachi, the interior minister directed the acting DG Rangers to work out a plan to improve the law and order in other parts of the province.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Abdus Subhan Memon, IG Wajid Ali Durrani, acting Director-General of Rangers Brig Zafar Iqbal, acting CCPO Iqbal Mehmood, Special Secretary (Home) Dr Kazim Hussain Jatoi, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Alam Din Bullo.—APP/PPI