Fed, Sindh govts lock horns as Islamabad extends Rangers’ powers for 60 days

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad and Sindh government have locked horns after the federal interior ministry extended the special police-like powers of Sindh Rangers for further 60 days, rejecting a summary sent by the provincial government over the issue.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Geo News reported on Tuesday.

Reacting to the development, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah lashed out at the federal government saying it was free to do whatever it wanted.

Why Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar is reluctant to talk directly to Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah on the issue, he questioned.

The federal government has instructed the Sindh government to draft a new unconditional summary over the issue.

"The provincial assembly does not reserve the authority to amend the federal laws," the interior ministry said in a statement.

“It is not possible to limit the authority of any law-enforcement agency,” said the ministry, adding that only the federal government was entitled to do so.

Earlier on December 16, the Sindh Assembly had adopted a resolution, extending the paramilitary force’s stay in Karachi and the province but with limited powers than before amid uproar from the opposition benches.

According to the resolution, the Sindh Rangers will have to seek the chief minister’s approval before taking any action against government institutions and personalities.

Sindh government and federal government are at loggerheads over the issue of extending Rangers’ powers for the past three weeks with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali khan and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leaders including Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah issuing harsh statements against each other.