Rangers can’t deliver without getting powers: Nisar

Hopes Sindh CM will resolve issue; says paramilitary force enjoys full support of federal govt;
Pakistan will treat neighbours the way they treat it

TAXILA: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Saturday said the Sindh Rangers enjoyed full support of the federal government adding that the force could not be expected to deliver without getting powers.

“It is a matter of concern that the issue of extension in the Rangers’ powers has been made controversial,” he said while talking to the media here.

The minister expressed the hope that Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah would help resolve the issue in a day or two.

"We are making efforts for maintaining peace in Karachi in consultation with the Sindh government.

The Rangers’ job, which work under the interior ministry, is to maintain security.”

Nisar recalled that the Karachi law and order situation was worse in 2011 so the Rangers were called in to control the situation.

“In two and a half years, the Rangers have sacrificed their lives to keep peace and improve the situation in Karachi, he added.

He said extension in the powers of Rangers would further improve the law and order situation in Karachi.

He said Karachi operation was started in consultation with the provincial government and on the instructions of the Supreme Court.

He mentioned Articles 147, 148 and 149 of the Constitution which make it binding on the federation to play its role in maintaining peace in the provinces.

"I am hopeful that hurdles will be removed and things will move forward," added the minister.

To a question about visa agreement with Kuwait, he said: "It can't happen that the other side doesn’t implement visa agreement while we continue doing it."

He said Pakistan wanted peace and good relations with its neighbours; however, it would treat others the way it was being treated.

He said visa agreement with Kuwait was suspended as Pakistan continued to facilitate Kuwaiti officials while its own

officials were facing difficulties despite the bilateral agreement.

The system of visa issuance would be improved further, he added.

Nisar said for the first time in the history of Pakistan, foreign airlines were fined for bringing passengers into the country without documents.

To a query, he said the meeting of Saarc interior ministers in coming days in Pakistan was multilateral in nature.