Rangers formally given approval for policing in Punjab

ISLAMABAD - The federal government on Wednesday has formally given approval to Rangers for policing in Punjab following a recent spree of terrorist attacks.

Initially Rangers will be deployed in the province for 60 days under article 7 of anti terrorism act.

The decision came after a high level meeting took place under the chair of interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. Top notch security officials including national security adviser Nasir Janjua, secretary interior, Punjab's  chief secretary, home secretary and IG police attended the meeting.

The Punjab government, following the decision of the province’s apex committee, had requested the interior ministry to lend around 2,000 Rangers for the next 60 to 90 days to assist counter-terror operations in the province.

Punjab saw a spike in terror activities and especially the Mall road blast last week jolted the whole nation resulting in a public outcry that voiced demand fro seeking Rangers help for thwarting terrorism.

Following the Lahore attack, Punjab’s law enforcement agencies launched a province-wide crackdown on banned militant organizations and arrested scores of militants and suspects.

Law enforcement agencies have been carrying out search operations across the provincial capital and other major cities, rounding up suspected people and seizing unregistered weapons.

However, a visible action such as that of Rangers was needed to counter militancy, once and for all.