Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister on Information and Archives, Moula Bux Chandio on Thursday said that law and order situation in Karachi is improving significantly soon after new Sindh Chief Minister has assumed the charge of his office. "The interior ministry has approved a 90-day extension in the special policing powers of Sindh Rangers in Karachi and has also issued notification in this regard. There is a sharp decline in target killing, extortion and robberies in Karachi after which people are enjoying their social and business life with peace," Chandio in a statement said.
The advisor said that the Sindh government is fully empowered under the 18th Constitutional Amendment to take a decision to maintain law and order; however, consultation with the federal government is required in this regard, which has been fulfilled constantly. He said, "The Rangers and police will now continue operation against terrorism, extortion and target killing, and no criminal will be let move freely. The Sindh government and Rangers actions in Karachi are in accordance with the National Action Plan, which was approved by major political parties," he maintained.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed the provincial law department to appoint 25 special prosecutors on urgent basis so that newly established anti-terrorism courts can start functioning smoothly, while efficient prosecution in ATC cases could be streamlined, said the advisor. He said that the Sindh government has been working for the capacity building of the police force through training centers. The police have also been equipped with modern sophisticated weapons. The Sindh government controls police, while Rangers is controlled by the federal government as it is a federal paramilitary force, he added.
He said, "Some political parties are doing politics on Rangers affairs and are mixing politics and Rangers issues together, which is a bad omen. Now Rangers have been given special powers by Sindh government; therefore, no politics on Rangers affairs will be allowed." He said that the Sindh Chief Minister's top priority is to provide peace to people belonging to all segments of the society and all schools of the thought. Everything will improve when peace continues to improve.
The Sindh Chief Minister has directed the Cabinet members and top bureaucrats to resolve public problems on priority basis.
Chandio said that the PPP believes in peace and stability and that is why it is a federal entity. "The PPP wants strong federation and strong provinces as per Constitution. We want the federal government should stay away from interfering into the Sindh government's constitutional powers and cooperate with it so that socio-economic development could make significant progress," he said.