Summary Sindh Assembly on Wednesday passed conditional resolution regarding extension in Rangers' powers.
KARACHI (Web Desk) – A day after passage of resolution in the Sindh Assembly, a notification regarding extension in Rangers’ policing powers in Sindh has still not been issued, Dunya News reported.
On Wednesday, the resolution tabled by the provincial Home Minister Sohail Anwar Sial under Article 147 of the Constitution was approved in the Sindh Assembly amid opposition‘s protest.
The resolution states that Rangers will have to contact Sindh Chief Minister before making arrest of anyone who does not have direct link to terrorism and will need warrant before raiding a public office.
It further said that Rangers can only act against target killers, extortionists, murderers and known criminals. However, they will have to seek permission from the Chief Minister before arresting anyone with no direct link to terrorism and permission would be needed before raiding government offices.
Meanwhile, various opposition parties including Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) rejected the conditional resolution.
The opposition parties alleged that the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is doing everything it can to ‘save corrupt individuals‘. They said the reduction in Rangers‘ powers is not acceptable.
Afterwards, the protesting members stood up on their seats and tore down the copies of the resolution.
Addressing the protesting lawmakers, Speaker Durrani said it is regrettable the opposition is protesting on passing of same resolution they were too keen to table.
The protest continued and the lawmakers walked out while chanting loud slogans.
Federal govt rejects conditional resolution for Rangers issue
The Federal government on Wednesday rejected Sindh Assembly‘s conditional resolution pertaining to the Rangers issue and started reviewing two options including the formation of 2 committees to properly solve the matter.
A policy statement on powers of Karachi Rangers and Sindh Assembly’s resolution from Minister for Interior Chaudhary Nisar is expected to be issued today.
The Federal government has said that economic crimes cannot be avoided under any condition and stated that money laundering and ‘Hawala‘ were part of terrorist financing.
The government further added that the exclusive powers to Rangers for Karachi operation were given according to the Pakistan Protection Ordinance.
TRADERS PROTEST
On the other hand, All Karachi Traders Union has planned to hold protest demonstrations outside the Sindh Assembly to press the authorities to restore Rangers’ full powers.
Chairman of the union, Attiq Mir said demanded that powers granted to Rangers on September 5, 2013 should be restored.
Traders will take out a rally from Pakistan Chowk towards the Sindh Assembly at 12:00pm today.
