Extension Of Rangers' Powers In Sindh Echoes In NA

Extension of Rangers' powers in Sindh echoes in NA

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd August, 2016) : The issue of extension of Rangers powers in Sindh echoed in the National Assembly on Wednesday as MQM and PTI members called for extending the powers of paramilitary force to the whole province while PPP legislators termed it against Article 147 of the Constitution. Speaking on a point of order, parliamentary leader of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Syed Naveed Qamar said the Sindh government had extended Rangers' powers under Article 147 of the Constitution. He alleged despite extention of Rangers' powers for one year, a press release was issued to media that the Interior ministry had not accepted the summary of Sindh government in this regard.

Such acts would weaken the federation, he viewed and asked the federal government to clarify the matter. Asif Hasnain of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) said the MQM was the first party which called for deployment of the paramilitary force in the province to restore peace. Instead of mere Karachi the Rangers' powers, he said, should be extended to the whole province for durable peace in the province. Dr.

Arif Alvi of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said law and order situation in Karachi had considerably improved after the deployment of Rangers.

There was sharp decrease in incidents of target killing, extortion, China cutting and kidnapping for ransom. Around 5,000 people used to become victims of target killing every year before Rangers deployment in the city, he added. He requested that the Rangers' powers should be extended to the whole province till complete de-politicizing of the Sindh police. However, he supported the viewpoint of Naveed Qamar that the federal government had no authority to deploy Rangers without the consent of the provincial government. PPP's Nawab Yousaf Talpur alleged taht it was One Unit like situation, which was created by Ayub Khan and Sikandar Mirza. The provinces were empowered under the 18th Constitutional Amendment to take such decisions.

Confusion, if any, should be sorted out through talks, he added. Mehmood Khan Achakzai of Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party said the people had the right to rule their provinces and there should be no interference in their matters for the supremacy of Parliament and Constitution. He said the Supreme Court could only interpret the Constitution.