KARACHI: Dispelling the impression that Federal government has taken Karachi law and order in its hand the Sindh government has clarified its position, and said that Centre will assist the provincial government in maintaining law and order in Karachi.
Spokesperson to Sindh Chief Minister House has said in a statement that targeted operations against terrorists and criminals have been carried out in the city since last month, and police and Rangers were effectively engaged in crackdown. He said that Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has always taken steps on priority basis for maintaining law and order in Karachi, and directed indiscriminate action against criminals. He also said that Karachi is the economic hub of the country, and peace will soon be established in the city, besides restoration of the business community and citizen’s confidence.
The spokesperson also made clear that Sindh CM will constitute the civil society committee to monitor the operation in light of the Federal Cabinet decision taken last Wednesday in Karachi. He said that people having good reputation would be included in the planned committee. Sindh government’s clarification has come a day after the Federal Cabinet’s decision to launch operation against criminals in Karachi led by Pakistan Rangers, Sindh. According to the cabinet decision Sindh Police will assist the Rangers in the operation.
The cabinet had also decided to constitute four separate committees for supervision, executing, monitoring and addressing the deficiencies in law. Sindh CM Shah was also among the participants of the Federal Cabinet’s special meeting on Karachi law and order. The Sindh government faced criticism by media and civil society on what they considered surrendering of its powers by the provincial government.
Different media persons and civil society personalities appeared in TV programmes after the formal announcement made by Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ahmed that Rangers will lead the operation. Sindh CM was also accompanying the interior minister on the occasion. Those who criticised Sindh government opined that maintaining law and order in a province was the domain of the concerned provincial administration according to the Constitution, and Federal government’s attempt was tantamount to violation of the Constitution. However, the provincial government went ahead and accepted the Federal government’s decisions silently. – DailyTimes
