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Imran Khan warns against reducing Rangers' powers

Islamabad: PTI chairman Imran Khan has warned that reducing the powers of Rangers in Karachi would seriously harm the ongoing operation against terrorists and anti-social elements.
It will result in restarting of bloodshed and target killings, depriving the people of long-awaited peace in the country's economic hub, he told the media at the Allama Iqbal International Airport on his arrival in Lahore.
Citing the aftermath of Naseerullah Babar-led operation, the PTI chairman feared that targeted killings of the personnel participating in the anti-terror operation would start again if the criminal elements were not completely crushed by giving a free hand to the Rangers to purge the port city of terrorists.
He said the people of Sindh were in favour of the Rangers-led operation but the political parties were trying to slash the special powers of Rangers under the pretext of safeguarding democracy.
He also accused the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) of collectively looting the people of Sindh, adding "the situation of Karachi is the real test of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's governance".
Imran alleged that the Sindh government with the help of ruling party at the Centre wanted to reduce the powers of Rangers and accused both the People's Party and the MQM of joining hands to protect corrupt elements and their armed wings.
Imran opposed Pakistan joining a Saudi Arabia-led counter-terrorism alliance and said the move could spark sectarianism in the country, while asking the government to hold a debate on the issue in parliament.
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