Sindh chief minister changes tack on Rangers powers

Govt not to extend paramilitary force’s special powers through executive order

KARACHI: Controversy over extension in the Rangers’ special powers deepened on Tuesday when the Pakistan Peoples Party-led Sindh government decided not to extend the paramilitary force’s powers through an executive order and announced summoning a Sindh Assembly session on December 10 to take up the issue.

“We will give the powers [to Rangers] through the assembly, not through executive orders,” said Senior Minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro during a function at a hospital in the city.





Later, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah also repeated his government’s new stance on the issue while talking to reporters after a function. “The powers will be given by the assembly. After the 18th constitutional amendment, it is the prerogative of the assembly to make such decisions,” he said.

Meanwhile, the assembly’s secretary said a session called on December 10 will have to be adjourned as per the parliamentary tradition in view of the death of an MPA. “We cannot take up any business on that day because of the death of a sitting MPA from Mirpurkhas,” he said.



However, Adviser to Chief Minister on Information Moula Bux Chandio told the media that extension in Rangers’ special powers in Karachi was a non-issue and that the chief minister would soon approve the summary for this purpose.

During a law and order meeting presided over by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday, Chief Minister Shah had agreed to extend the Rangers’ special powers. However, he changed his decision after speaking to PPP Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari by phone late Monday night.

The Rangers special powers – under which it can carry out investigations, conduct raids without a warrant and detain suspects for 90 days in Karachi – were last extended on August 8 for a period of 120 days. This extension expired on December 6.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf moved a resolution in the Sindh Assembly on Tuesday seeking extension in the Rangers special powers for another four months.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 9^th,  2015.