PPP, ANP unite against govt in Senate on Rangers issue
PPP and ANP staged token walkout over rejection of the provincial governments summary.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Awami National Party (ANP) were on the same page today (Wednesday) in Senate against the federal government’s decision regarding Rangers’ policing powers in Sindh, Dunya News reported.
Members of both parties lodged strong protest and later staged token walkout over rejection of the provincial government’s summary.
ALSO READ: Federal govt invalidates Sindh Assembly s resolution, extends Rangers‘ powers
PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar lashed out at the federation, stating that the federal government has violated the constitution on Rangers’ issue.
Federation’s ‘elephants’ have attacked Sindh by rejecting the summary, he said.
ANP Senator Shahid Syed also condemned the move.
Sassui Palijo said that Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar’s attitude is unacceptable.
Senator Saeed Ghani told Senate that the Sindh government did not limit Rangers’ powers. State institutions should be made party to the political conflicts.
ALSO READ: Sindh Assembly passes resolution to conditionally extend Rangers‘ powers
Earlier on Tuesday, the federal government rejected Sindh Assembly s resolution and restored full powers of Rangers for another 60 days.
In a letter sent to the provincial government, the federal government has stated that Rangers will continue to work as per its previous rights.
"Pakistan Rangers is working under the Anti-Terrorism Act and that Rangers’ powers cannot be limited without amending the Act," the letter states.
On the other hand, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcast Pervaiz Rashid said that there is no chance of governor-rule in SIndh, however, there is a need for Rangers operation in Karachi.
Karachi, a sprawling city of roughly 20 million, has long had a reputation for high crime rates as well as ethnic, political and sectarian violence.
Overall levels of militant, criminal and sectarian-linked violence have decreased significantly since paramilitary forces began a sweeping crackdown in 2013.
