What can be the possible fallout of the Sindh government’s decision to put brakes on two major agencies under the federal control i.e. Rangers, FIA while NAB, which is an independent body? Its impact would come on important inquiries in which some arrests were expected in relation to “China cutting,” “terror financing, and corruption,” giving sign of relief to the possible beneficiaries of this resolution and protection to billions of rupees.
Irrespective of the powers given to the Rangers in the light of the resolution or notification, which is due anytime, it has damaged the “Karachi Targeted Action,” and increased already existed mistrust particularly between the Rangers and Sindh government.
Another fallout would be on the ongoing prosecution and investigation of hundreds of cases. This includes pending JITs, as their fate may not be different from that of Dr Asim Hussain, a close friend of former President Asif Ali Zardari, except in cases against the alleged militants of MQM.
The resolution was not merely passed by the Sindh Assembly in “haste,” because of Dr. Asim as he had already got relief from the Ranger’s custody and also got clearance from case under Anti-Terrorism Act, though Rangers have challenged police report.
The move was to protect others and block some pending inquiries or at least arrest of others in this connection.
The resolution can also pave way for the possible return of some of these bureaucrats and at least two close aides of the former President, but they will wait for few weeks and see Islamabad, reaction.
The move certainly did not go well in the “civil and military” circles in Islamabad and Rawalpindi,” particularly after firm assurance given by the chief minister in the presence of Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, Army Chief, General, Raheel Sharif, DG, ISI, Lt. Gen, Rizwan Akhtar, Corps. Commander, Lt. Gen, Naveed Mukhtar and DG, rangers, Maj. Gen, Bilal Akbar.
An unimpeachable source, who has monitored these developments very closely revealed that prior to the last “apex committee” meeting, the army chief held meeting at Corps Headquarters and then at Governor House, in which he was not very happy over the delay in giving extension to Ranger’s powers (not the one given now) and hindrance created in the enforcement of National Action Plan (NAP).
However, source said, he was advised restrain and in the light of pre-apex deliberations, certain fact sheets, if not charge-sheet, was dropped from the presentation given by the DG, Rangers on difficulties in proceeding with the operations.
But, source disclosed that the “chief” was very firm that this operation would continue in its full force, come what may. While he and premier, Nawaz Sharif as well praised the provincial government, they knew exactly who is firing the short and has made Chief Minister, Captain of the operation, helpless.
So, the center has been advised, (1) restrain and avoid clash, (2) use Article 147, under the directives of federal government, (3) allow FIA to continue its operation uninterrupted and incase of any high profile arrest seek direction from the center, (4) let NAB, continue its work as an independent institution and provide assistance in raids, if required, and (5) seek guideline from the Supreme Court, which in “Karachi Badamni,” case, 2011, gave certain direction to the federal government.
Since the “Karachi Targeted Action,” 2013, was launched as per direction of the SC, the center can move to the court instead of creating political crisis and provide PPP or Sindh government to take shelter under the umbrella of democracy.
Therefore, the option of Article 245 or promulgation of Emergency may not be use as it could prove counter productive.Sindh government, though acted smartly to save certain people having close links to some top PPP leaders in Dubai, it may have fallen in a “trap” after giving one year lease till July, 2016 to rangers.
As the legal experts said, after getting the lease for a year to stay in Karachi, it will operate in accordance to federal Interior Ministry as under Article 147, it came in aid of civil power.
There is uncertainty prevail about the fate of inquiries linked to “terror financing,” in the Fisheries, considered as one of the biggest hub from where not only billions of rupees goes to terror networks from Lyari gang to al-Qaeda to other outlawed groups, but also to some top politicians. Those in custody may get relief after what happened in Dr Asim case and chances of arrest of “wanted officials,” also diminish.
Similarly, this resolution has also put a “break” on any further raid or inquiry in “china cutting,” which led to the raid at Sindh Building Control Authority, few months back and they took possession of some 15,000 files of plots.
The initial reaction of Sindh government came after it feared arrest of chief of SBCA, Manzoor Kaka, senior Fishery official, Nisar Morai, Qama Sultan, Mohammad Ali Sheikh, most of whom managed to escape.
At first Rangers raided on its own in connection with the arrest of some suspects in “terror financing.” The reaction of the government was understandable as the question of its mandate was not to create panic among officials. Raid did created uncertainty among officials and bureaucracy.
This was followed by a meeting of the “apex committee,” Sindh. DG, rangers, gave a complete presentation about the alleged involvement of many officials of the government, beside those “ghost employees” involved in terrorism, clear reference to MQM and Lyari gang particularly in Fishermen Cooperative Society.
The meeting, which was held early this year, asked government to take action against them. This presentation was enough to “alert” certain elements within PPP and provincial government.
Rangers waited for two weeks, but not only action was not taken but some suspects manage to escape. Ultimately, rangers issue a hard hitting Press Release, revealing information about Rs230 billion recovered illegally by different groups and used in terrorism. It also named the alleged involvement of “Bilawal House,”
This triggered major controversy and now both Sindh government and Bilawal House, started raising question about rangers crossing the “red line.” The fear was that after operation against outlawed groups and MQM, PPP would be the target. In reality it was neither the party (PPP), government or Sindh, under attack but certain bureaucrats, officials and cronies of PPP leaders against whom action was due.
All this led to one of the hard hitting speech of Mr. Zardari, in which he passed some insulting remarks indirectly to the army chief and establishment, something which put his stay in Dubai, for indefinite period.
So, even if this latest move of the Sindh government did not lead to any confrontation, terrorists, outlawed groups, corrupt bureaucrats and their “masters” would be the main beneficiaries. At the same time it is also important that the rangers, FIA and NAB, instead of “media mongering,” should come out with evidence to prove case in the court and not on TV channels.
It is pity that the Chief Minister of Sindh, is a head of the province, whose Chief Secretary and IG, Police on bail (he is facing contempt of court proceeding), Chairman, Anti-Corruption in jail, Chairman, CM Inspection Team facing NAB and over dozen officials facing serious inquiries.
Operation can’t continue till the last terrorist as it has practically been jolted only after 40 to 50 per cent success.The writer is the senior columnist and analyst of GEO, The News and Jang.