Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Monday signed a summary extending Rangers’ special policing powers in Karachi for three months while their stay in the city has been extended for a year. The Rangers, however, have not been given policing powers throughout the province.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan criticised the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) for delay in extending the Rangers’ policing powers in Sindh. He said there was need to support and give confidence to security agencies.
Commenting on the Rangers powers in Sindh, the minister said delay in the paramilitary force’s powers means putting their lives in danger, according to a private news channel.
“I hope there will be progress in the extension of powers to the paramilitary force. Delay in this regard is tantamount to putting the lives of Rangers personnel in danger,” Nisar said and added that the Rangers issue should not be made into political football.
The chief minister, meanwhile, has ordered the Sindh Home Department to issue formal notification of the extension without any delay.
According to the CM’s spokesperson, Murad Ali Shah approved the summary which called for extending Rangers’ stay for one year in Karachi and also granted them special powers for 90 days. The spokesperson also said that the CM was hopeful Rangers would continue to play a vital part in maintaining the law and order in Karachi, just as they had done in the recent past.
The spokesperson also said that the chief minister’s recommendation will be sent to the federal government.
The decision comes a day after CM Murad Ali Shah held a meeting with former president and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari in Dubai. Zardari had reportedly granted permission to Murad to approve the summary for extending Rangers’ stay in Karachi.
DON’T TRY TO SQUEEZE POLITICAL MILEAGE OUT OF RANGERS’ ISSUE:
Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan said during a press conference in Islamabad that the security forces personnel had been risking their lives and their sacrifices should not be wasted for getting political mileage.
The interior minister said that recently, security personnel had been martyred in Karachi but the culprits had still not been traced. “The paramilitary force has to have legal cover as they curb criminals activities in the city.”
“We hope the extension of Rangers’ policing powers will not be delayed further. After the issuance of notification in this regard the Karachi operation will be further strengthened which was initiated in consultation with the provincial government to ensure peace in the mega city,” he added.
Replying to a question, he said, “So far 31 personnel of security forces have sacrificed their lives in the Karachi operation while 89 have been injured.”
RANGERS’ SPECIAL POWERS ISSUE RESOLVED ‘AMICABLY’:
Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister Moula Bux Chandio said on Monday that the issue of Rangers’ special powers has been resolved amicably and will help maintain law and order in the Sindh province.
“Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah granted special powers to Rangers immediately after assuming charge as Sindh chief minister which will pave way for stability and peace in the province with protection for business and social activities. Sindh government is committed to maintaining law and order in the province for the development and prosperity of the people,” Chandio said in a statement.
He said that the federal government now needs to adopt a positive attitude towards the Sindh province and desist from putting pressure on the provincial government.
“Sindh government is running all its affairs as per constitution and law of the land for the good of the masses. The business community and the civil society are also fully satisfied over the Sindh government’s steps for peace,” the advisor said and added, “There is no need to put hurdles in the democratic process in Sindh.”
Chandio said that changes in the Sindh cabinet will bring positive results and stimulate economy and development in all sectors of life. This change will also provide lucrative benefits to people belonging to all segments of the society. Sindh government under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah is determined to alleviating poverty in the province by providing Roti Kapra Aur Makan (food, shelter and clothing) to the people along with durable peace and economic stability, he said.
He said that Sindh chief minister wants green Thar, cleaner Karachi and thriving peace, which will soon be materialised with the cooperation of the people and expertise of the new Sindh cabinet. “All ongoing infrastructure, health and education projects will be completed within the stipulated time, and people will take full benefit of them.”
