Conflict with centre: Chandio takes a few steps back

Info adviser says they hope concerns will be addressed

HYDERABAD: Signaling a softening of stance over the issue of Rangers’ policing powers, the Sindh government’s spokesperson said they will avoid confrontation which is harmful for the federation.

“We have conveyed our reservations [to the centre] but we don’t want to do anything which harms the federation or gives an advantage to the country’s enemies,” said Maula Bux Chandio, adviser to the chief minister on information.

He was speaking to the media at the Hyderabad Press Club on Sunday.



“When Asif Zardari raised the slogan of Pakistan khapay [we want Pakistan after the killing of Benazir], people ridiculed it,” he bemoaned, adding that the provincial government’s stance is based on Constitutional provisions. “We are not using the Sindh card and we have never used it before.”

The Sindh government will not impede the exercise of powers, which the federal government recently granted to the Rangers for two months, he clarified, but, he added, the province is still hoping that the centre will address their concerns.

Retorting to being dubbed Maula Jatt allegedly by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf supporters, Chandio said he sticks to his criticism of Imran Khan. “I haven’t said that he is a terrorist but if one hospital is allowed to provide treatment to a terrorist [a reference to an Afghan Taliban member treated at Shaukat Khanum hospital in Lahore], then the others hospital should also be allowed to do so,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2016.