Sindh Cabinet divided on issue of Rangers legal stay in Sindh

KARACHI:  Though the political parties and security
forces are on same page for the elimination of terrorism, the matter
of extension in stay of paramilitary Rangers in Sindh especially in
Karachi especially after arrest of Sindh Higher Education Commission
Chairman Dr Asim Hussain, Sindh Cabinet is not on same page.

The legal duration for stay of paramilitary Rangers in Sindh had
expired on December 5 this current month and a summary for approval
from Sindh Chief Minister for stay of paramilitary Rangers is pending
form over 2 weeks. The summary was also sent back to Sindh Home
Minister for affixing his comments, which the minister has yet to do.

In the meantime, advisor to the Sindh CM for information with powers
and status of minister for information Moula Bux Chandio gave a press
conference at New Sindh Secretariat on Tuesday in which the advisor
told the newsmen that the summary for the extension pending with the
Sindh CM would be approved after the CM would affix his signature
either today (Tuesday) or tomorrow (today – Wednesday).

The advisor had in particular stated that Sindh government has
reservations with the paramilitary Rangers on their scope of actions
and operations (without prior information to and approval from the
CM). The CM had also in recent past spoken about such matters and had
stated that the extension in powers of the paramilitary Rangers for
actions in Sindh would only be approved from the Sindh assembly.

In contradiction to the advisor for information and in support of the
CM, the sindh senior Minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro plainly stated that
the matter of stay of the paramilitary Rangers and their powers for
actions in Sindh would solely be approved from the Sindh assembly,
which session is likely to be convened on December 10 this current
month.

This clearly indicates that the paramilitary Rangers would remain
without legal covers for any of their actions against the criminals
and terrorist in the metropolis till the Sindh assembly approves their
stay on December 10 and by then, the arrests and encounters would
become challengeable in any court of law.

ogress of each and every scheme from next week. “I would hold review
meetings of each and every department at New Sindh Secretariat next
week,” he said and added that he would take strict action if found
poor utilization of funds or performance.

The CM also directed P&D department to start inspection of all the
development schemes being carried out all over the province and report
him if work is found of substandard quality. NNI