Pakistan

Extending invitation to Rangers for accountability is unconstitutional: Nisar

Interior minister says he was “surprised” to know such a demand came from the leader of a political party

APP September 15, 2015

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan addressing the media in Islamabad on Monday. PHOTO: PID

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar has said extending invitation to Rangers for accountability was unconstitutional and the paramilitary force did not have any such mandate in Karachi or any other part of the country.

Referring to Imran Khan’s recent call for Rangers to conduct an anti-corruption operation in Punjab, the interior minister said he was “surprised” to know that such a demand came from the leader of a political party.

"It is unwise on part of a political leader to involve state institutions for political gains. It is against democratic norms," the interior minister said in a statement on Tuesday. “Every citizen has a right to freedom of expression and speech but it should be within the ambit of law and Constitution.”

Nisar said raising such demands aimed at attaining political point scoring, which could impair the actual purpose of the Karachi operation.

Read: ‘General Raheel's popularity at all-time high’

He said all Pakistanis acknowledge the performance and sacrifices rendered by Pakistan Army under the leadership of army chief General Raheel Sharif.

Nisar said it was unfortunate and inappropriate to politicise the role and performance of Pakistan Army and Rangers by issuing such political statements.

Today’s Pakistan is far better than that of 2013, he said, adding peace in Karachi was returning to normality.

COMMENTS (13)

S.R.H. Hashmi | 8 years ago | Reply Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has declared that extending invitation (by Imran Khan) to Rangers for accountability (across-the-board and also in Punjab) was unconstitutional and the paramilitary force did not have any such mandate in Karachi or any other part of the country. Whatever twist Chaudhry Nisar may give to the Rangers latest passion in Karachi, it is nothing but accountability and if the Rangers had no mandate for it, why are they not being stopped by the Federal Government under whose control they operate. Alternatively, if what they are doing in Karachi is all right, how could it be unconstitutional in Punjab or elsewhere in Pakistan? Chaudhry Nisar is of course right when he says “All Pakistanis acknowledge the performance and sacrifices rendered by Pakistan Army under the leadership of army Chief General Raheel Sharif”. People are indeed grateful to the army Chief and the armed forces for this, as also to Rangers and Police for ridding the city of criminals to a large extent. However, it must be kept in mind that in the profession that they are, rendering of sacrifices is more of an occupational hazard. And it must be remembered that the masses have also rendered sacrifices which amount to more than fifty thousands of the total sixty thousands fatalities blamed on militants and terrorists. This is not to belittle the sacrifices by the armed forces, the para-military forces and the civilian law enforcers but to put the record straight and to highlight the fact that the civilian in our country deserved better than what they got from those whose job it was to provide them protection. This is also to record the fact that the menace of extremism, militancy and terrorism – which the present armed forces, the paramilitary forces and the civilians are tackling, and which the former General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kiyani and others fought earlier, has been brought on to us by an over-ambitious and imprudent General Ziaul Haq who, much against the advice of Pakhtun leaders, involved Pakistan in the US revenge war with the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. And this is not the only dis-service that some Generals have done to Pakistan and its people. Whatever additional territory Pakistan gained was in the first Kashmir war that was fought mostly by Mujahideen and others wars that some Generals fought with India have been unnecessary and wasteful which this poor country could ill afford. It was self-proclaimed Field Marshal Ayub Khan who - by mistreating Bengalese and not giving them their due share in proportion to their larger population as compared to West Pakistanis – created circumstances for the separation of East Pakistan and his nominee General Yayha Khan finally presided over the dismemberment of Pakistan, with all the unnecessary death and destruction caused, and the shame brought on Pakistan of staging the largest surrender in the Muslim history. I hope the present civilian and military leaders as well as the masses keep things in perspective and check on this tendency by some of us to overdo things and thereby, despite good intentions, end up doing more harm than good to the unfortunate people of this country whose suffering sees no end and only keeps increasing with time. Karachi

A Z I | 8 years ago | Reply I think there is no doubt the overall law and order situation in Pakistan is much better now than in 2013. We should appreciate that as mentioned by Ch. Nisar. Moreover, there seems some economic activity and people feel more confidence in the future of the country. A lot of dignitaries from different countries are visiting Pakistan, CPEC, improving relations with Russia and maintaining friendly relations with USA and EU are positive signs. Raising of Kashmir issue and handling of India is also in line with people's aspirations. We can realistically and properly evaluate the performance of this Govt if it completes its tenure like PPP. Lastly, a transparent accountability should be for all whether someone is from Punjab or FATA. It may take place in due course of time, who knows - when ! Let us exercise a little bit of patience.

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Fawad khan | 8 years ago | Reply And corruption itself is constitutional, according to pmln and ppp.

realist | 8 years ago | Reply I do not know the futute of IK. But he still lacks maturity in his thoughts.

Sidster | 8 years ago | Reply Any type of accountability is unconstitutional in the eyes of PMLN.

amer | 8 years ago | Reply Rangers operation in Karachi has brought much needed relief to people of Karachi. They should do similar things across the other provinces as well as it would restore order in other provinces as well. Unfortunately, right now there is no other institution in the country than can do the accountability process like Rangers. FIA?NAB were unable to do accountability for NICL scandal only Rangers were able to do accountability on the matter. For good of Pakistan Rangers should be given more powers.

Blithe | 8 years ago | Reply You don't teach constitutionalism to miscreants who attack Parliment and PTV ; you put them in jail.

Azi | 8 years ago | Reply Everyone hides behind "unconstitutional" phrase whenever stick is on them. If you have nothing to fear, audits only help you become more popular than before. But obviously these people have to take care of the treasures they have accumulated over the years by such "hard work".

Jeedar | 8 years ago | Reply Mr Minister there is no accountability for you. Please RIP. Punjab rules.

ishrat salim | 8 years ago | Reply Mr nisar, if Rangers did not have the mandate to arrest people for corruption etc; raiding KDA civic center for land records etc; then what was that ? When same action being demanded for Punjab why there is double standard. Your comment in this regard has exposed what PPP govt was complaining about.

ali | 8 years ago | Reply Oh shut up mr. BEAN. IK is right. You let all the big fish run away. from Zardari to Altaf. Ayaan is still out. Tappi is in UK. We need accountability, period. Who does it, it doesn't matter.

salman ahmed | 8 years ago | Reply Oh so Chaudhry Nisar does not know what is going on in Karachi... Or indeed what is happening in Lahore. Highly disingenuous Ch Sahib!!

shahid | 8 years ago | Reply Constitution? Do you really think any such thing exists in this country. Yes, such thing is most often used by politicians to cover up their corruption.

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