Opposition prepares protest strategy for Sindh Assembly's meeting today
A further delay in extension of Rangers' powers is expected due to legal complications.
KARACHI (Dunya News) – A tumultuous meeting in Sindh Assembly is expected today (Friday) as the opposition prepared a protest strategy against the conditional resolution for extension in exclusive powers of Rangers that was passed earlier in the Assembly.
A new notification regarding extension in Rangers’ policing powers in Sindh has still not been issued as sources say a further delay is expected due to legal complications which require notification’s prior approval by the Federal Interior Ministry.
The conditional resolution was severely rejected by both the Federal government and the opposition including Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F).
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.
Meanwhile 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 strongly criticized 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.
These conditions are being seen as a downsizing of Rangers’ exclusive search and arrest powers, which will render Karachi operation as ineffective.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has now directed his Ministers to refrain from further reacting on the issue.
The Federal government has started a tripartite consultation in order to adopt a new strategy on the issue. PM Nawaz has also decided to include the army in the consultation.
