A day after the issue of Pakistan Rangers stay in Sindh was raised by Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain, Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad in a meeting with the paramilitary force chief threw his weight behind the Rangers, while the chief minister, too, contradicted the reports of differences between the Centre and Sindh on the issue. Governor Sindh also called for a coordinated strategy to make actions against criminals and terrorists transparent and address people’s complaints while showing confidence that the entire nation was united to back law enforcement agencies for a lasting peace in the province and the country. Earlier CM Sindh Qaim Ali Shah lambasted rangers for overstepping its powers. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah claimed that under the 18th constitutional amendment, the provincial government was bound to seek the legislative assembly’s approval before allowing Rangers to continue working under extended powers.His assertion has been supported by self-exiled MQM leader Altaf Hussain who asked the Chief Minister and Assembly members to pass a bill to send back the Rangers. These statements by the Chief Minister and the MQM Chief have not earned any respect and in fact give a clear impression that the two senior leaders were themselves upset over the Rangers operation and fear that if it continued, it would ultimately hit their core interests. Already several officials of Sindh Government have been arrested on mega corruption charges and common man in the streets of Karachi is questioning as to why the CM is so keen to wrap up the operation when there is visible change in the ground situation. Repeatedly the Rangers and Federal government have stated that the operation is not against a party or group of people but against terrorists, gangsters, criminals of all sorts and foreign agents. In our view Qaim Ali Shah and the people of Karachi as a whole have heaved a sigh of relief over the improvement in law and order situation due to tireless efforts to Rangers. We would warn that if the Rangers operation was stopped for a single day, it would revert the city back to lawlessness and the people would be the ultimate sufferer.
pk.shafaqna.com
