Rangers' powers: CM Sindh throws the ball in Federation's court
CM Sindh has signed a summary regarding extension in Rangers' powers.
KARACHI (Web Desk) – Sindh Chief Minister, Qaim Ali Shah has signed a summary forwarded by the Sindh Home Ministry today (Friday) regarding extension in Rangers’ policing powers in the province, Dunya News reported.
The summary will be forwarded to the Ministry of Interior, sources told.
Later, a final notification regarding extension in Rangers’ powers will be issued by the Ministry of Interior.
OPPOSITION PROTESTS IN SINDH ASSEMBLY
Sindh Assembly session witnessed rumpus today as opposition members lodged strong protest against the provincial government‘s decision to conditionally approve Rangers‘ policing powers in Karachi.
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 Peoples Party (PPP) is doing everything it can to ‘save corrupt individuals‘.
The strongly criticized resolution states 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.
Due to opposition‘s strong protest, Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani adjourned the session till Tuesday.
ALSO READ: Sindh Assembly passes resolution to conditionally extend Rangers‘ powers
The conditions approved by the PPP-led Sindh government are being seen as a downsizing of Rangers‘ exclusive search and arrest powers, which will render Karachi operation as ineffective.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed the federal ministers to refrain from further reacting on the issue.
The federal government has also 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.
