THIS refers to the news report `With special powers gone, Rangers will only provide `backup support` to Sindh govt` (April 17). The special powers for the Rangers were only in respect of Karachi as the Sindh government had refused the request that these be given for the whole of Sindh. These powers expired on April 15.

It was the same story at the federal level with military courts. The overwhelming vote in favour of military courts indicates that the parliamentarians were convinced of the need for their continuation since in the intervening period no reforms had been made by the government in the investigation and prosecutingprocedures.

The Rangers were called in because the police were unable, on their own, to handle law and order in the city, and needed, and still need, extra help.

However, instead of doing the needful by giving special powers to the Rangers, the Sindh government seems to be preoccupied with removing the competent, honest IG Police, Sindh, A.D.

Khwaja for his presence is blocking the PPP`s efforts to plant favourites in the police force.

With the Sharifs and Zardari party busy with corruption, they simply have no time or interest in matters of public concern. So people have started looking up to the superior judiciary and the armed forces, hoping that they will notdisappoint them.

The judiciary is doing what it can, and hopefully, while successfully defending the country from external enemies, the armed forces will not leave people at the mercy of inept leaders.

Riazul Hakeem Karachi