Law officers, Rangers DG told to assist court

Karachi

The Sindh High Court directed the federal and provincial law officers and the Rangers DG on Tuesday to assist it and file their respective comments on a petition that sought directives for the federal government to delegate all powers and authority to Rangers to curb terrorism and its facilitation, militancy, and corruption in the province.

The petitioner, Moulvi Iqbal Haider, submitted that the provincial assembly had adopted a resolution curtailing Rangers’ powers whereas the paramilitary force was performing its duties in accordance with the law under the National Action Plan against terrorism.

He submitted that the provincial assembly had resolved that Rangers would only have powers to deal with cases of target killings, extortion, kidnapping for ransom and sectarian killing and any person, who was not directly involved in terrorism and only suspected of abetting terrorists, could not be placed under preventive detention without the written approval of the chief minister.

Besides, according to the resolution, Rangers cannot raid any government office without the chief secretary’s permission.

He said that impugned resolution was passed to protect political and government figures involved in corruption and against the spirit of the National Action Plan.

The petitioner submitted that provincial assembly’s resolution was contrary to a certain article of the Constitution which was required to be set aside.

He stated that corruption had now become a national security threat akin to economic terrorism and devouring the country as it had halted its socio-economic development and undermining ethical values, development and prosperity.

He mentioned that the Supreme Court in its famous Karachi violence case had observed that the provincial government had failed to perform its duties in accordance with provisions of the Constitution.

He added that despite this observation by the apex court, the provincial government was protecting its corrupt  officials and politicians.

Ti court query, additional attorney general Salman Talibuddin said a notification granting complete powers to Rangers had been issued by the federal government.

However, the petitioner submitted that notification was not being implemented in letter and spirit by the provincial government. The federal and provincial law officers sought time to assist the court on the point after instructions from both the federal and provincial governments.