Rangers' policing powers: CM meets leaders of lawyers' bodies, seeks support for stance

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said that the matter pertaining to delegation of powers to Rangers would be resolved amicably very soon. The Sindh government was committed to implementing the National Action Plan worked out with the collective wisdom of political and military leadership, he said. This he said while addressing delegations of three bar associations - Sindh High Court Bar, Karachi Bar and Malir Bar at the Sindh Chief Minister's House here, said a statement on Thursday.
Those who attended the meeting include President Sindh High Court Bar Khalid Javed Khan, Vice President High Court Bar Sarfraz Mirza, General Secretary Sindh High Court Bar Mubeen Lakho, President Karachi Bar Association Mahmoodul Hassan, Vice President Karachi Shujaat Ahmed, General Secretary Karachi Bar Haq Nawaz Talpur, President Malir Bar Aijaz Bangesh, President People Lawyers Forum Qazi M. Bashir and others. He said that he was thankful to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif for their support and cooperation in restoring peace in Karachi.
"Police and Rangers have given a lot of sacrifices for restoration of peace in the city for which they deserve appreciations," he said and added that it was mandatory for every institution to work within its domain and legal framework. Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that his government had inherited worst law and order situation from the Musharraf tenure. "Serious terrorist incidents like attack on Corps Commander Karachi, The Nishtar Park tragedy and even attacks on the cavalcades of General Musharraf (Retd) and various such other incidents were worth-mentioning here to assess the situation of that time," he said.
He added that it was his government which took drastic measures to restore law and order in the province in general and in Karachi in particular. He said that this peace has not returned merely with lip service but "it has taken a lot of efforts, funds and practical steps like capacity building of police force, developing close co-ordination with different intelligence agencies, and top of our jawans of our law enforcement agencies like police and Rangers who gave their blood for the peace." He urged lawyers to play their role towards the rule of constitution. "Your struggle for restoration of democracy in the country is unforgettable," he said.
The CM Sindh said that like his leaders he was a great supporter of freedom of media which he has proved but "our media never highlights the achievements of Sindh government, he complained and added, "Yesterday, he along with PPPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto inaugurated Trauma Centre, first of its kind in Pakistan, but our media, instead of highlighting this achievement launched our media trial," he deplored. President Sindh High Court Bar Khalid Jawed said that the solution to all the problems lies in democracy and it is a best system in which people are sovereign.
The Sindh CM has made untiring efforts to restore peace in Karachi, he said. "Today everyone feels secure because of Sindh government's practical measures," he added. President Karachi Bar Association Mahmood-ul-Hassan said he had visited Central and Northern areas of Sindh where dacoit factor has come to an end, people are living safe and secure life, otherwise highway robberies, kidnapping for ransom and bloody tribal feuds had turned many localities, villages and roads as no `go areas'. "Sir, this credit goes to you [CM] for your zero tolerance against criminal activities and elements, he said.
President Malir Bar Association Aijaz Bangesh said the restoration of peace in Karachi was a great feat of Sindh government for which it deserves appreciation. The office bearers of the district bar associations proposed to shift city courts to the area of central jail. On this the CM Sindh said that the central jail was a heritage and protected building. It cannot be bulldozed to construct judicial complex, he added.
He offered to give 17 acres land of milk plant for construction of judicial complex and also advised the elected bodies to identify a suitable land for district courts. The three bar associations invited the CM Sindh to address their bars which he accepted and assured legal fraternity that he would try his best to solve their problems. On the occasions Senator Taj Haider, special assistants to CM Sidique Abu Bhai, Rashid Rabbani and Waqar Mehdi were also present.