Summary The country would be pushed further in a quagmire, warns PPP's co-chairman
KARACHI (Dunya News) – Former president Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday has said that the federation violated supremacy of the constitution by ‘attacking’ Sindh.
In a statement issued, Pakistan People’s Party s (PPP) co-chairman criticised the federal government regarding Rangers issue.
Referring to federal government’s nod to Rangers, he stated that the country would be pushed further in a quagmire if the constitution is continued to be breached like this.
The statement was issued primarily in connection with Quadi-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s 139th birth anniversary on December 25. He urged the nation to stay united and focused on the principles of Jinnah.
Zardari further urged the people to reject decisions that are taken at expense of constitution’s breach.
On the other hand, Sindh cabinet has written a letter to the federal government today regarding the unconditional restoration of Pakistan Rangers’ powers in Karachi.
The provincial government has termed the act an attack on Sindh’s sovereignty. The government has criticised federation’s move to restore Rangers policing powers one-sidedly.
Know more: Sindh govt terms federation s nod to Rangers an attack on provincial sovereignty
The decision to write a letter was taken in a high level meeting of the provincial cabinet chaired by Chief Minister (CM) Sindh Qaim Ali Shah on December 23.
It should be mentioned here that the federal government had rejected Sindh’s recommendation in matter of Rangers’ exclusive powers to operate in Karachi.
Paramilitary force was granted policing powers in Karachi in September 2013 in bid to curb terror attacks and crime rate. Karachi locals have protested in favour of Rangers’ extension in stay. Sindh government is seeming reluctant through the course of extension.
Sindh Assembly sessions saw protests by opposition parties. The opposition in the assembly alleged the government of delaying the issue ‘on purpose’.
However, the provincial government extended the powers conditionally for two months. The Chief Minister demanded the paramilitary force to approach the provincial government prior to raiding a public office.
Following the movement in the matter from Sindh government, the federation was to take the next step. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar said that Rangers were given exclusive authority under the law.
The federal government, on Tuesday had extended Rangers’ powers unconditionally and rejected Sindh’s reccomendations.
