Retaining power: FIA empowerment is an attack on provincial autonomy: CM

Says he is unsure why the federal government is not ready to place trust in police

SUKKUR: Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah does not need any force other than the police and Rangers and feels that the increased powers given to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) by the federal government is an attack on provincial autonomy.

Shah was speaking at the media after inaugurating the 194th annual urs of Hazrat Sachal Sarmast in Daraza Sharif in the Khairpur district on Thursday afternoon. A large number of devotees converged at the location to pay homage to the Sufi saint and poet of seven languages.

In a question about the actions of the FIA and the National Accountability Bureau (Nab), he said he was not aware about the federal government's new strategy. Expressing his anxiety over the FIA and NAB raids, Shah said it is not clear why the federal government is not ready to place their trust in the police.

He said the Sindh government has given powers to the Rangers under the ATA-B, adding that during the Prime Minister's visit to Karachi Shah had asked about the power given to the FIA and NAB and was assured that the matter would be looked into.

Appreciating the untiring efforts of the army chief, Shah said he had provided a lot of support to the Sindh government. "We have managed to overcome cases of terrorism and extortion and have finally brought peace to the province," he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 3^rd, 2015.