Points to ponder
Several important developments have taken place since the National Security Council met last time in April. These must have come under discussion in the meeting. With the Indian controlled Kashmir in constant turmoil after Burhan Wani was killed by the security personnel, the issue was bound to be on the top of the agenda. The meeting has sent a strong message of support for the Kashmiris’ right of self-determination and expressed resolve to continue the moral, diplomatic and political support for their rights. The recent negative developments in Pak- Afghan relations were also reportedly discussed at the meeting.
The army is on the one hand conducting countrywide combing operations while on the other Rangers are trying to extend their sphere of activities to internal Sindh. The failure on the part of the federal government to perform its functions has led the army to encroach upon its turf. In the case of Sindh government it is both ineptitude and corruption in higher echelons of power which is being used as a justification to extend the activities of the Rangers to interior Sindh. While initially resisting the demand to hand over a crony of the brother of a provincial minister wanted in a number of cases by the Rangers, the provincial government has finally surrendered the man.
The law empowering Rangers to act in Karachi expired on July 19. The provincial government is delaying its revival presumably to seek assurances from the Rangers to allow it to continue with its capers. A statement by Ch Nisar implies that in case of Sindh government declining to empower the Rangers the federal government might do so on its own. Any interference by the center in provincial affairs is bound to give a new lease of life to parochial tendencies which were on the decline after the passage of the 18th amendment. Similarly the increasing influence of the army in civilian affairs is already causing uneasiness reflected in the Senate’s proceedings which is not good for civil-military relations.
