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Sindh mulls various options for Rangers’ powers

By our correspondents
July 26, 2016

Karachi

Following days of tension between the Sindh government and the security establishment over the issue of Rangers’ powers in the province, it now seems clear that the paramilitary force is not going back to the barracks any time soon.

With a decision to extend their stay, particularly in Karachi, seemingly all but done, people who are part of the legislative process are said to be exploring certain options for interior Sindh that could prove to be a sort of middle ground for the warring parties.

One such official, who is among the few drawing up the actual proposals, has confided to The News that legal experts have advised the government to look into the option of allowing the paramilitary force to work in interior Sindh on a ‘case-to-case’ basis.

As per the official, this particular option entails the government being empowered to allow or disallow the Rangers to proceed with any operation in rural Sindh. In simple terms, this would mean that the Rangers would have to inform the provincial government and seeks its approval before conducting any operation in interior parts of the province.

The issue of extending the Rangers’ domain to interior Sindh has proved to be a major stumbling block in the ongoing security operation.

The matter came to the fore following the first attempt by law enforcers to nab Asad Kharral, said to be a close aide of certain of Pakistan People’s Party leaders, from Larkana, an attempt that was thwarted by the brother of the serving Sindh home minister. With Kharal having been arrested by LEAs from Hyderabad on Thursday, the Karachi Corps Commander Lt General Naveed Mukhtar held a marathon meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah last Friday, following which the CM met with PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari – the duo’s second meeting in as many days.

As per reports, the CM assured the corps commander that the issue of Rangers’ powers would soon be resolved shortly and consultations were ongoing with the party hierarchy.