CM Sindh expresses concern to Corps Commander Karachi over Asad Kharal arrest

KARACHI: Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah expressed concerns to Corps Commander Karachi Lieutenant General Naveed Mukhtar over Rangers exceeding powers in Sindh on Friday, a day after paramilitary force arrested Asad Kharal from Hyderabad.

Muhammad Ali alias Asad Kharal, a worker of Pakistan People's Party (PPP), is alleged of corruption worth millions of rupees and acting as a ‘front man’ for a key figure in the Sindh provincial government.

Rangers had earlier arrested him in Larkana, but he was set free by his supporters who confronted the paramilitary soldiers, raising serious questions about the handling of law and order in the province.

According to sources, the two-hour long meeting held in CM House today in which matters related to Larkana incident, Rangers stay in Sindh and arrest of Asad Kharal were discussed in detail.

The CM expressed his concerns over the aforementioned issues, the sources revealed.

They said that National Action Plan (NAP) in the province and overall law and order situation were also discussed during the meeting.

Qaim Ali Shah further said that the matter of Rangers’ stay needed to be discussed with party leadership and an amicable resolution would be reached soon.

Meanwhile, traders held a strike in favour of Rangers and demanded the paramilitary force be granted powers.

All Karachi Tajir Ittehad Chairman warned that if Rangers were not granted powers and extension in Sindh then a sit-in protest would be staged by the traders community outside CM House.