– PM assures Sindh CM province’s reservations over security issues will be addressed
– Qaim asks PM to stop federal institutions from ‘interfering’ in provincial matters
– Says Sindh empowered under 18th Amendment to ratify Rangers’ powers
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah’s visit to Islamabad to resolve the Rangers’ issue culminated with the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directing Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali to visit Sindh next week to ‘sort out’ the problem.
The development came following an hour-long meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz and Chief Minister Shah.
A range of issues, including the federal government’s notification on Rangers’ policing powers, the Sindh government’s reservations over it, financial situation of Sindh and progress on the Karachi operation came under discussion in the meeting.
Talking to reporters after meeting the PM, Shah said the deliberations were held in a cordial environment and that all reservations held by the Sindh government were presented to the premier.
The chief minister insisted that the conditions placed on Rangers’ powers by the Sindh government were not ‘unreasonable,’ adding that the DG Rangers and other officials had been instructed verbally to consult the chief minister or the chief secretary before making political arrests many times before.
Shah said Sindh had been empowered after the 18th Amendment to ratify Rangers’ powers, a right it exercised through the assembly.
Shah pointed out that Sindh government had called the services of Rangers as per Article 147 of the Constitution which allows the paramilitary force to act against terrorism, targeted killings, kidnapping for ransom and extortion.
The chief minister, however, said the subject of corruption is a provincial matter which is being dealt with by the provincial anti-corruption establishment, adding the same has been conveyed to the prime minister.
Shah also claimed that around 80 per cent of peace in Karachi has been restored because of the operation which commenced 2.5 years ago with a complete political consensus.
In response to a question, the Sindh chief minister said former president and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari can come back to Pakistan anytime he wants as there are no pending cases against the PPP leader.
“Asif Zardari is aboard due to his illness and he will come back to the country anytime he wants,” he said.
Earlier, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Shah agreed that no compromise would be made over the Rangers-led operation against criminals and terrorists in Karachi, as it will bring peace in the city, official sources said.
The Centre and provincial leadership vowed to continue the dialogue to resolve all controversial issues. They also decided to work jointly to restore peace in the port city.
Sources said that the meeting was held in a pleasant atmosphere, where the premier heard the Sindh CM’s reservations with an open heart.
It was decided that the Karachi operation is in the interest of all and it would continue in full swing, sources said.
Qaim Ali Shah also raised issue of the federal government’s ‘interference’ in provincial matters, saying that it was against provincial autonomy.
“Interference in provincial affairs should stop. I have been made captain of Karachi operation but captaincy has been given to me without powers,” he complained.
He underlined that raids by the FIA in Sindh was tantamount to interference in its internal affairs. “How can we remain silent when raid is conducted in any department in our province? Is all corruption being committed in Sindh only? Why the FIA has not taken action in Punjab or any other province,” he asked.
He said that operation should continue until the restoration of peace in Karachi. The PPP or the Sindh government has no objection over it. However, the Sindh government should be taken on board on all matters related to the province.
“The federal government respects the Sindh Assembly’s resolution but all issues should be resolved with mutual agreement,” a source quoted the PM as saying in the meeting.
“We will not make any compromise on restoration of peace and tranquility in Karachi. Karachi operation has yielded positive results and all and sundry laud it. About Rs 25 billion have been spent by the federation on Karachi operation during the last two-and-a-half-year. The operation will continue until the elimination of the last terrorist and revival of peace in every nook and corner of Karachi. No one will be allowed to come on the way of Karachi operation,” the premier reportedly said.
The provincial leadership also demanded Rs 9 billion as part of expenses of Karachi operation.
Sources said the premier assured Qaim that Sindh government’s reservations over security issues would be addressed.
Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, as well as Sindh ministers Murad Ali Shah and Sohail Anwar Siyyal attended at the meeting.
Nawaz and CM discussed the overall security situation in Sindh. No official statement regarding the meeting has been released yet.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, during a visit to Karachi on Monday, was expected to touch upon the Rangers’ issue with the Sindh CM but met him only briefly at the airport and left the provincial capital without a formal discussion on the matter.
The Sind CM is a second PPP leader to confirm that Mr 10% sitting in the luxuries of Dubai is ill. It was first confirmed by the fake Dr Rehman Malik that Ali Baba is sick and had gone to Saudi Arabia to perform Umra on a wheel Chair. He did go to Saudi Arabia but not to perform Umra. It was 10% with the intention of performing Umra and 90% with the intention of seeking help of Saudi Government for himself like did they to Nawaz Sharif. He did not get a lift, though.
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