Summary PM Nawaz has also decided to include army in the consultation to adopt a new strategy on the issue.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The issue of extension in exclusive powers provided to Rangers for operation in Karachi is becoming a challenging matter for the Federal government as Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif on Thursday stopped the government’s team which includes Federal Ministers from reacting further on a conditional resolution passed earlier in Sindh Assembly before a final integrated policy was formed.
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. The new development was revealed during Dunya News program “Dunya Kamran Khan Kay Sath”.
Sources say that a long discussion was held on the issue in CM House, Sindh. A decision was made during the consultation that Sindh government will not cooperate with the Rangers if the Federal Interior Ministry did not issue the notification according to the conditions put forward by the Provincial government.
Legal expert Farogh Naseem stated during the Dunya News program that the Federation could provide powers to the Rangers through Articles 148 and 149. However a deadlock set in after the resolution passed by Sindh Assembly.
Sources say that PM Nawaz is desirous of taking the political leadership into confidence as well, however the present conditions are no less than a test for the PM.
According to the resolution passed earlier, 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.
Further Reading: Notification regarding extension in Rangers powers still not issued
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.
The Federal government also rejected Sindh Assembly‘s conditional and started reviewing two options including the formation of 2 committees to properly solve the matter.
