The formation of a five-member Grievances Redressal Committee (GRC) is the result of a political settlement reached between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). The task that the GRC has to accomplish is very challenging and difficult. It has been assigned the role of addressing the grievances of the MQM against alleged excesses committed by the Rangers against its workers and leaders in Karachi. The formation of the GRC was one of the demands of the MQM for rejoining parliament. The MQM has serious reservations about the Rangers’ operation in the port city. It has alleged that in the name of the operation, the party is being pushed to the wall. Its leaders and workers are being arrested without any proof or charge and being killed in fake encounters. There are reports about alleged extrajudicial killing of political workers at the hands of law enforcement agencies. The GRC will register and resolve concerns raised by the MQM related to the Rangers-led security operation in Karachi within 90 days after receiving the complaints. The security agencies are busy in the operation against terrorists and criminals. They claim that the operation is apolitical and against terrorists and criminals. Time will tell how the committee will challenge the authority of the Rangers and make them abide by the law in case any violation is found. In the name of the operation, a parallel ‘justice’ system is working not only in Karachi but also in other parts of the country. Alleged criminals and terrorists are being shot down on the spot without any trial or prosecution. This growing trend can put the country on the wrong path. It is a blatant violation of human rights. Along with criminals, sometimes innocent civilians are also suffer at the hands of the law enforcement agencies. That is why any institution cannot be allowed to decide a crime and its punishment. Even a criminal has the right of self-defence and should be punished after facing a fair trial. No doubt, the military-backed campaign is the result of the civilian system’s failure to establish an efficacious justice system. However, this interventionist ‘short cut’ trend cannot be allowed to continue. The system of checks and balances is part of our constitution. The formation of the GRC is a positive development and a good decision taken by the PML-N government. Although there are suspicions about the scope and working of the body, yet the step will work to guarantee fairness at some level. No institution can be allowed to work on its own and take decisions arbitrarily. It is the responsibility of an elected government to resolve the grievances of political parties. If the personnel of the security agencies violate the rule of law, they should also be questioned and brought to book. Everybody should be equal in the eyes of the law and this committee has to fulfil this gigantic task of ensuring the rule of law. *