Sindh Assembly has passed the conditional resolution for extension of rangers’ authorities, Waqt News reported. “Rangers cannot arrest anyone without permission of Sindh government,” the resolution stated. “Except terrorists’ arrests all other arrests will be made after CM Sindh’s permission,” resolution added.
Right after the resolution was tabled, various opposition parties including Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) started protesting. The protesting members stood up on their seats and tore down the copies of the resolution. Addressing the protesting lawmakers, Durrani said that it is regrettable the opposition is protesting on passing of same resolution they were too keen to table.
The protest continued and the lawmakers walked out while chanting loud slogans. The resolution states that Rangers will only have powers with respect to the following: “That any person, who is not directly involved in terrorism and is only suspected of aiding and abetting terrorists or by way of terror financing or facilitating terrorists shall not be placed under preventive detention under any law without prior written approval of the Government of Sindh i.e Chief Minister. “
“It is clarified that in case a person is suspected of the above, cogent reasons with complete evidence justifying such preventive detention shall be provided to Government of Sindh, which will, based on the available evidence, approve or reject such proposal of preventive detention.” “The Pakistan Rangers Sindh shall not raid any office of Government of Sindh or any other Government Authority without prior written approval of the Chief Secretary, Government of Sindh.”
Opposition members, including those from the Mutahidda Qaumi Movement, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), PML-F and the PML-Q, tore apart their copies of the resolution and staged a walkout from the assembly to register their protest against the PPP-led provincial government.
Rangers is currently spearheading an ‘operation’ against criminal elements in Karachi, which was initiated back in September 2013, after the federal cabinet empowered the force to lead a targeted advance with the support of police against criminals already identified by federal military and civilian agencies for their alleged involvement in targeted killings, kidnappings for ransom, extortion and terrorism in Karachi.
The issue has been a point of contention between Sindh government and federal government. The provincial government was showing hesitation in giving extension to Rangers. “The draft was kept secret by the government and was not revealed till the last moment and it was passed very quickly,” reporter told the channel.
While talking to Waqt News Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Ismail has said that the party doesn’t accept this resolution, as it has limited the authority of Rangers. “Rangers have to get permission before raiding a government office according to the resolution. How can it is be acceptable? Rangers should work freely,” he said.
While talking to media PTI leader Khuram Sher Zaman said that the Constitution has been humiliated. “This resolution gives protection to murderers and abductors,” he claimed. “We will launch a protest movement against it and will not let the assembly work,” he added
