No falling-out with Rangers, Karachi stay issue will be solved today: Sindh CM
On the other hand, MQM claims to be the sole target of the operation
KARACHI (Dunya News) – Chief Minister (CM) Qaim Ali Shah on Thursday has said that the government has no falling-out with Pakistan Rangers and the force will get extension in its stay in Karachi today.
Chief Minister (CM) Qaim Ali Shah is likely to sign the summary today. Sources have said that top leadership of the country has given a go-ahead to the Chief Minister.
Several reports that surfaced earlier had claimed that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is not in favour of the extension and thus is delaying provision of the legal cover. However, Sindh Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ahmad Khuhro had said that a session was called which would discuss the matter.
Sindh Assembly session was to convene today however Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani has said that extension of paramilitary force’s stay in the province would not be discussed today.
The federal government had initiated an operation in Karachi in September 2013 to eliminate criminal elements. Pakistan Rangers were bestowed with special powers for the cause.
Other law enforcement agencies including Sindh Police were ordered to cooperate however, Rangers were asked to lead the targeted operation.
Crime rate in Karachi has fallen by a significant number. Cases of target killings, kidnapping, extortion and terrorism have decreased. On the other hand, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has severely opposed the operation claiming that it is part of ‘minus one formula’.
The party claims to be the sole target of the operation however, the federation and other bodies concerned have repeatedly assured that Karachi operation is not against any political party but crime and terror attacks.
Several party workers have been apprehended and imprisoned for various crimes.
