Curbing Rangers’ powers?

By
Editorial
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68
248

Following procedure

 

The Rangers have got the powers that they need to deal with persons directly involved in terrorism. Their original mandate to sort out target killers as well as those involved in extortion, kidnapping and sectarian killing has thus been fully restored. Grey areas like terror financing and facilitating the terrorists where subjective judgments can create a perception of partisanship can still be probed with the permission of the Chief Minister. Similarly, the Rangers will be able to raid a government office only when approved by the Chief Minister. This will serves as a check on any possible arbitrary use of powers by the civil armed forces. The resolution in fact guards against the Rangers becoming a subject of controversy. Investigating corruption requires expertise that Rangers don’t possess. This should better be left to institutions set up for the purpose like NAB and FIA.

There are attempts afoot to create unnecessary confrontation between the Sindh government on one hand and the Rangers and federal government on the other. This is harmful for the federation and those indulging in it with ulterior motives should be discouraged. Any action that might infringe upon provincial autonomy as spelled out in 18th amendment would have adverse consequences for the federation. The harmony presently existing between the civil authority and military must be maintained at all costs.

The unseemly haste which characterised the passage of the resolution in Sindh Assembly was undesirable. The Opposition which had walked out during the proceedings of the House should have been brought back by the ruling party leaders in accordance with the parliamentary practice. Dissenting MPAs should have been provided opportunity to present their point of view. It is a bad practice to pass a disputed resolution while those opposing it are absent. The PPP has amassed, rightly or wrongly, a reputation for corruption. It would further strengthen the perception if it was seen to be passing a resolution without a thorough debate only to provide protection to someone belonging to it.

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68 COMMENTS

  67. The only agreable part of the Editorial is " PPP has amassed, wrongly or rightly, a reputation for corruption". A very ugly situation has been created by this resolution – a dictation from across the Arabean Sea. And the Speaker of the Sind Assembly , an ex body-guard of Mr 10% had no nerves to go against the wishes of his old Master. The whole city of Karachi, which earns 70% of revenue for the country, presents a picture of field of agitation against this resolution. An Editorial in another English Daily accepts that the Federal Government, the Supreme Court and the Estabalishment have NO say ! May be. But remaining silent spectators to the situation will NOT achieve results for which the Operation was started. Time to say SHUT UP.

  68. What 85 comments Pakistan Today ? So much has been written in these columns about the Rangers' power in Karachi and at times it looks like ALL – the Central Government, the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the Establishment – have failed to coup up a Provincial Government – the Government which is headed by one of the most inefficient CMs and depending on dictation from across the Adrabian Sea. The less said is better. Time to say SHUT-UP.

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