PPP signals greenlight on Rangers powers

Sources say Zardari summoned new Sindh CM to Dubai to discuss crunch questions pertaining to Sindh government

KARACHI: PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari issued fresh instructions to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to resolve the matter of extending special policing powers for Rangers in the province as soon as possible.

The paramilitary force’s right to detain suspects without any charge in Sindh expired on July 19 and extension of those powers has long been a source of friction between the federal and provincial authorities.



Shah, who replaced Qaim Ali Shah as the chief minister of Sindh last week, had visited Garhi Khuda Bux to offer prayers at the grave of PPP leaders Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. After returning to Karachi on Sunday, he picked up a few things and headed to the airport without any protocol.

“He just took his personal laptop and a hand-carry and told all staff that he will be back in the early hours of Monday,” an official at CM House confirmed.

Sources said that Zardari had summoned Shah to Dubai to discuss crunch questions pertaining to Sindh government especially the matter of extending special policing powers for the paramilitary Rangers.

Shah was reportedly conveyed that the PPP has, in-principle, decided to green light extension of powers for the paramilitary force. There were reports that Shah may issue a notification in this regard once legal consultations are complete.

On Saturday, as the newly inducted members of the Sindh cabinet visited the Quaid’s Mausoleum in Karachi, Shah had announced that he would take a decision on extending Rangers special powers soon.



Other matters which came under discussion during Sunday’s meeting in Dubai included the second phase of appointing Sindh cabinet members with important portfolios such as home, finance, irrigation, works and services and planning and development yet to be filled. The prevailing political situation and other matters also came under discussion.

In this regard, Shah is expected to hold a meeting with PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari soon after returning to Karachi to finalise the names after consulting with the PPP chief. Sources added that Shah also briefed Zardari about the newly inducted members of the Sindh cabinet in addition to dilating on his governance priorities for the province.

Zardari reportedly directed Shah to complete development projects as swiftly as possible and pay special attention to issues pertaining to education, health and law and order. He further directed the Sindh cabinet members should visit all parts of the province, listen the people’s problems and help resolve them.

Last week, the PPP  -- which is the ruling party in Sindh -- had decided to replace octogenarian Qaim and replace him with the considerably younger Shah apparently given the former’s stance on extending powers for Rangers. The decision had come at a similar party meeting in Dubai attended by senior party officials. A decision was also made to shake up the Sindh cabinet.



However, before Qaim was removed, the Sindh government had decided that the provincial legislature would vote to decide on whether to extend policing powers for the paramilitary Rangers.

Earlier, Sindh information adviser Moula Bux Chandio refuted media reports that Zardari had reportedly summoned Shah -- just two days after his election as Sindh CM -- to give him some policy guidelines. “No one has been ordered to visit Dubai, but chief minister will come back by Sunday night,” Chandio said. About powers for Rangers, Chandio clarified that it was not possible to extend policing powers for the paramilitary force to the entire province and that it was more likely that they will be extended for Karachi only.

“Rangers have played an important role in maintaining law and order situation in Karachi. The situation in other districts of Sindh is under control where police plays its role diligently,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2016.