Change likely at Sindh CM House

Source says PM Sharif, Zardari have agreed to replace Qaim Ali Shah with ‘younger, dynamic’ leader but PPP chief’s spokesperson says no such proposal being considered

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Zardari have agreed in principle to replace Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah with a “younger and dynamic” PPP leader to help improve the situation in Karachi, however the PPP leadership has decided to hold the announcement for some time, Pakistan Today has learnt reliably.

A source privy to the development said that Sharif and Zardari held consecutive meetings in two days during the last week to explore ways to improve the Sindh chief minister’s “impression”.

Soon after a meeting at the Sindh Governor’s House in Karachi on Wednesday, Zardari held a meeting with the premier to discuss the developments that had taken place during the crucial meeting attended by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad, Karachi Corps Commander Lt General Naveed Mukhtar, Rangers DG Maj General Bilal Akbar and others. Later on, Zardari held a follow-up meeting in Islamabad on Thursday.

“It appears that Zardari has taken a decision to replace Qaim Ali Shah on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s advice. However, no immediate announcement is likely as Zardari does not want to send any impression of weakness to the quarters concerned,” the source said.

Moreover, the source added that any such decision would also have political fallout and it would be considered as if the PPP government was responsible for the surge in terrorism in Karachi.

Upon query, the source said that the list of probable candidates for replacing Qaim Ali Shah as Sindh chief minister included Dr Murad Ali Shah and Sharjeel Memon. “However, Zardari may introduce a ‘dark horse’ who may have no political standing,” he said.

“As far as the matter of announcing this decision is concerned, Zardari would take a decision at an appropriate time,” the source added.

The politician said that public sentiments were against the Sindh chief minister for after the Safoora Goth incident.

“If the Sindh chief minister is changed now, all blame would fall on the PPP for all bad things happening in Karachi. Other than terrorism, Karachi is suffering due to water crisis, street crime and other issues,” the source added.

PPP Co-Chairman Zardari’s spokesperson Senator Farhatullah Babar denied any imminent change taking place in the Sindh CM House.

“The party is not considering any proposal to replace Qaim Ali Shah at the moment,” he told Pakistan Today, rejecting all reports in this regard.

Meanwhile, the source said that both Zardari and Sharif also agreed to work together and improve governance in Sindh so that the “influence of the military establishment in the official business could be curtailed”.

The source said that during the meeting held at the Sindh Governor’s House, the military wanted a lead role for Rangers DG in Karachi operation while arguing that political influence was hampering the operation against criminal elements.

“During the meeting, both sides accused each other for the security lapse in the Safoora Goth incident. The military leadership was also unhappy with the invitation extended to MQM leaders to attend the meeting at Governor’s House,” the source said, adding that there is a feeling that Sharif had smartly thwarted their plan to give Rangers DG a lead role by endorsing the views expressed by the Sindh chief minister during the meeting.

“The military leadership has also taken the blame of lack of coordination between the civil and military intelligence agencies seriously. Army chief’s visit to the headquarters of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was to remove any such impression,” an official source told Pakistan Today.

He said that the COAS was unhappy with the impression that there is a lack of coordination between the civil and military intelligence departments.

“However, the blame lies with the PML-N government which has failed to constitute the directorate of intelligence and make it functional,” the official added.

A military official however said that neither the army leadership wanted a lead role for the Rangers DG nor it was possible under the law. Moreover, Rangers could not be given policing, which could be made effective by civilian provincial leadership.

“Rangers cannot assume the role of police. It is an institution working under the federal government and interior minister is its in-charge. So a federal institution cannot be given a lead role in any province. The problem is the lack of coordination between the institutions,” he maintained.

Asked to elaborate his argument, the official said that a major problem in Karachi was lack of political will or the incapacity of the civilian leadership to take action against criminals and militants.

Source says PM Sharif, Zardari have agreed to replace Qaim Ali Shah with ‘younger, dynamic’ leader but PPP chief’s spokesperson says no such proposal being considered
ISLAMABADMIAN ABRARPrime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Zardari have agreed in principle to replace Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah with a “younger and dynamic” PPP leader to help improve the situation in Karachi, however the PPP leadership has decided to hold the announcement for some time, Pakistan Today has learnt reliably.A source privy to the development said that Sharif and Zardari held consecutive meetings in two days during the last week to explore ways to improve the Sindh chief minister’s “impression”.Soon after a meeting at the Sindh Governor’s House in Karachi on Wednesday, Zardari held a meeting with the premier to discuss the developments that had taken place during the crucial meeting attended by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad, Karachi Corps Commander Lt General Naveed Mukhtar, Rangers DG Maj General Bilal Akbar and others. Later on, Zardari held a follow-up meeting in Islamabad on Thursday.“It appears that Zardari has taken a decision to replace Qaim Ali Shah on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s advice. However, no immediate announcement is likely as Zardari does not want to send any impression of weakness to the quarters concerned,” the source said.Moreover, the source added that any such decision would also have political fallout and it would be considered as if the PPP government was responsible for the surge in terrorism in Karachi.Upon query, the source said that the list of probable candidates for replacing Qaim Ali Shah as Sindh chief minister included Dr Murad Ali Shah and Sharjeel Memon. “However, Zardari may introduce a ‘dark horse’ who may have no political standing,” he said.“As far as the matter of announcing this decision is concerned, Zardari would take a decision at an appropriate time,” the source added.The politician said that public sentiments were against the Sindh chief minister for after the Safoora Goth incident.“If the Sindh chief minister is changed now, all blame would fall on the PPP for all bad things happening in Karachi. Other than terrorism, Karachi is suffering due to water crisis, street crime and other issues,” the source added.PPP Co-Chairman Zardari’s spokesperson Senator Farhatullah Babar denied any imminent change taking place in the Sindh CM House. “The party is not considering any proposal to replace Qaim Ali Shah at the moment,” he told Pakistan Today, rejecting all reports in this regard.Meanwhile, the source said that both Zardari and Sharif also agreed to work together and improve governance in Sindh so that the “influence of the military establishment in the official business could be curtailed”.The source said that during the meeting held at the Sindh Governor’s House, the military wanted a lead role for Rangers DG in Karachi operation while arguing that political influence was hampering the operation against criminal elements.“During the meeting, both sides accused each other for the security lapse in the Safoora Goth incident. The military leadership was also unhappy with the invitation extended to MQM leaders to attend the meeting at Governor’s House,” the source said, adding that there is a feeling that Sharif had smartly thwarted their plan to give Rangers DG a lead role by endorsing the views expressed by the Sindh chief minister during the meeting.“The military leadership has also taken the blame of lack of coordination between the civil and military intelligence agencies seriously. Army chief’s visit to the headquarters of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was to remove any such impression,” an official source told Pakistan Today.He said that the COAS was unhappy with the impression that there is a lack of coordination between the civil and military intelligence departments.“However, the blame lies with the PML-N government which has failed to constitute the directorate of intelligence and make it functional,” the official added.A military official however said that neither the army leadership wanted a lead role for the Rangers DG nor it was possible under the law. Moreover, Rangers could not be given policing, which could be made effective by civilian provincial leadership.“Rangers cannot assume the role of police. It is an institution working under the federal government and interior minister is its in-charge. So a federal institution cannot be given a lead role in any province. The problem is the lack of coordination between the institutions,” he maintained.Asked to elaborate his argument, the official said that a major problem in Karachi was lack of political will or the incapacity of the civilian leadership to take action against criminals and militants.