The Sindh Rangers are facing a dilemma. On the one hand, they have to continue Karachi Targeted Action against suspected terrorists, alleged militants of political parties, terror financiers, extortionists and criminals, on the other they have to maintain balance to keep the operation even-handed. At a time when only 10 days are left to the most important local bodies elections in Karachi on December 5, it is a big challenge. How far it has succeeded so far and where it went wrong? Friday was one such day when they faced a double challenge. Dr Asim Hussain, a close associate of former President Asif Ali Zardari was produced in the Anti-Terrorism Court after a 90-day remand. They sought a further 14-day remand, but the public prosecutor general opposed it and had an argument with the Ranger’s lawyer. It was a strange move as the prosecutor was supposed to support the Rangers case. In the end, the court gave a four-day remand. It was very clear that the provincial government seemed in no mood to prosecute him, perhaps the way the Rangers want him to be prosecuted. So, it would be very interesting to watch what would transpire in the next four days in police custody, which would be followed by an interim challan. Dr Asim will face the NAB cases as well in the next few days. The government on the other hand would like to give him relief either in jail or in case he gets bail. Dr Asim’s arrest from the day one has become a major point of contention between the Rangers and the PPP. The case registered against Dr Asim for treating alleged terrorists in his hospitals and possible shelter could become an explosive case if evidences were placed before the court of some al-Qaeda or Taliban suspects, known figures of Lyari gang war and MQM militants. Apparently, if the injured militants were treated across the board, the only offence which he could face would be of not informing the police. But, if the prosecution established that he had links with them and used them for terror financing or for any alleged crime, he could fall in a deep trouble. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, who went to Dubai a few days back, reportedly briefed Mr. Zardari about Dr Asim and sought fresh instructions.Earlier, when top PPP leaders were in Dubai for a broad-based discussion on how to improve the party’s performance, the PPP co-chairman directed the leadership to protest on his arrest.So, it would not be difficult to assess what kind of case the government intends to fight, something which could further frustrate the Rangers and the establishment. The same day MQM held a big protest rally, the first since it swept LB polls in Mirpurkhas and Hyderabad, against the recent arrest of its workers by the Rangers and feared that certain forces wanted to “hijack” its mandate. The party apprehended that after its victory in the local bodies in these two cities of urban Sindh, some forces wanted to cut to size its popularity in Karachi. With only 10 days left to the holding of LB elections in Karachi, the pace of operation apparently has turned towards the MQM, though the Rangers believe they are only going after alleged “target killers” and those involved in criminal activities. It is also quite intriguing that the Grievance Redressal Committee, headed by three retired Supreme Court judges, has so far failed to take-off yet. Had it been functional, the MQM could have taken up the matter of series of recent arrests and raids with them. The question is why it could not start its work and is still non-functional. Is the federal government under pressure from the establishment and faces opposition from the Rangers too. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is already facing heat from certain quarters over the recent acquittal of Mr Zardari in the NAB cases. So, is the government now in two minds and has withheld the committee despite being notified. Had the committee been operative today, confusion over the arrest of MQM LB candidates and some political workers would have been resolved. The Rangers, on the other hand, believe that they are not interfering in political activities and have not hindered the MQM political rallies and corner meetings. In the past also the Rangers had reservations about the judicial commission set up by the Sindh government to probe the Rangers allegations against Bilawal House and on its press releases of Rs230 billion recovered through illegal means by different groups in Karachi. Though headed by a retired high court judge, the commission did not get any response from any quarter and was disbanded after one month. If the operation continued at the same pace in the coming days leading to the arrest of some prominent MQM leaders on the one hand and PPP leaders on the other, tension with Rangers might also increase. Maj. Gen. Bilal has so far been successful in keeping balance and the operation generally has focused on militants of outlawed groups, Lyari gang war and suspected MQM militants. When he replaced the present ISI chief Lt. Gen. Rizwan Akhtar as DG Rangers, most of the home work had already been done. During Gen. Bilal’s tenure over 16,000 suspects had been detained, many by the police anti-terrorist wing also, but most of them were later released. After December 16 last year most of those arrested were interrogated and investigated for 90 days. In MQM case, the Rangers in the last 10 to 11 months have picked up many MQM sector and unit in charges and other suspects in cases of target killing and extortion. Their cases are now in the courts. Unlike in the past operations the number of MQM suspects killed through extrajudicial means has also reduced and same is the case of missing persons. But, the MQM too has a point when it questioned the action taken against other militant wings as mentioned in the intelligence list submitted to the Supreme Court. The MQM was of view that they had been singled out in the operation to keep their voters away from Polling Stations. How strong is the MQM case against the Rangers as a result of arrest of over 50 or 60 of its workers including some candidates? There can be a sympathy wave for the MQM among its voters if it succeeded in establishing that these arrests were linked with local bodies’ elections in order to damage the party. The MQM’s morale is high after its victory in Mirpurkhas and Hyderabad and therefore it’s now in a better position to raise these issues that only they are being targeted just before elections. Thus, it’s a challenge for the Rangers and they have to keep neutrality in the elections. For instance, tomorrow if they arrest Wasim Akhtar, one of the MQM candidates for mayor, and former minister Rauf Siddiqui, particularly before elections, it may not go well for the Karachi operation. Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas results show that the MQM vote bank is still intact and are also confident about Karachi. According to the Ranger own inquiries, at least in terror financing case, fingers were also pointed at some other parties including a religious party and its links with terror network, but so far no arrest has been made. Whether its a coincidence or not, but strange banners attributed to no political party or leader and carrying no picture or name have been put in large numbers with slogan, “Say No to Crime and Corruption.” Some posters were also seen and that too attributing no party. Banners without any attribution are often noticed only during the Kashmir Day.It did raise a few questions whether some hidden hands are also showing interest in the outcome of elections or not.The writer is the senior columnist and analyst of GEO, The News and Jang.
