ISLAMABAD: Warning the Sindh government against making the Karachi operation controversial for sake of saving one man (Dr Asim Hussain), Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has stated that Rangers are being ridiculed by ‘opponents of peace’ who want it to leave Karachi.
Addressing a press conference here Saturday, Nisar Ali Khan hoped that better sense will prevail because the operation is in the interest of the provincial government and must go ahead. He said the people of Pakistan in general and Karachi in particular have supported the operation that has brought lights of the city back.
He said the major stake holders are people of Karachi and they are witness how this praise worthy work of the Rangers is being detracked.
He said “Opponents of peace want Rangers to leave Karachi so that the port city is left on the mercy of these people again,” he said.
The Interior Minister said, “The paramilitary force is present in Karachi under Anti-Terrorist Act of the Federal Government.” He urged the Sindh government not to make the paramilitary force ‘controversial’.
He went on to say that the federal government will not leave the security institution helpless when it is under attack.
Rangers was not working for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz or any other party in Sindh, he said and added, “Karachi operation should not suffer against personal interest.”He said the Rangers operation was launched with the consent of all political parties.
Interior Minister said attempts are being made to de-track Karachi operation. He said dilly-dallying tactics being adopted by the Sindh Government over the issue of extension of mandate of Rangers in Karachi amounts to playing with sensitive law and order situation there.
The Minister regretted that uncalled for public statements are being made targeting institutions and their role in a bid to make them controversial.
Chaudhry Nisar said all this is happening despite his submissions in a recent meeting that reservations against the Federal Government or any institutions, if any, should be expressed in meetings and not publicly.
He emphasized that Karachi operation should not be made controversial and well-disciplined, patriotic and professional force of Rangers should not be made target of ridicule.
He said Rangers personnel are safeguarding security interests of the country by sacrificing their lives and instead of praising them, some people are criticizing their role.
The Minister pointed out that despite its reservations, MQM wants continuation of the operation for the sake of restoration of peace in Karachi but the provincial government is not interested.
Referring to criticism of FIA and NAB by the provincial government, the Interior Minister said the incumbent Chairman NAB was appointed through consultation of the government and Leader of the Opposition.
“If things do not change, then I will present some options on behalf of the federal government,” he said. Nisar also asked the provincial government to change tactics or else threatened to make public a “confidential joint investigation report and other reports by the FIA and NAB so that the public can decide for itself who is trying to hide what.”
The interior minister said the provincial government had for years extended Rangers’ powers via executive notifications and questioned the ‘sudden’ need to consult the assembly on the matter. He said the Assembly is just to ratify the notification for operation.
“A normal administrative procedure has been made complex, which is equivalent to playing games with the sensitive Karachi operation,” said Nisar.
INP