HYDERABAD: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah ruled out the possibility of the imposition of governor rule in Sindh and cautioned against its imposition, while talking to journalists in Jamshoro on Saturday.
“A democratic dispensation is working in the country,” Shah said. “There is no reason for governor rule to be imposed”. “If it is imposed, it will have serious implications,” he warned.
Briefly talking to journalists at the conclusion of Sindh University’s convocation, the chief minister took a few questions on the provincial and federal government’s controversy over the stay of Rangers in Sindh, and the likely formation of a grand alliance by the province’s opposition parties.
Qaim Ali Shah emphatically opposed the formation of a grand opposition alliance against the Sindh government.
“The federal government does not have the authority to impose governor’s rule in Sindh or in any other province,” he maintained.
Discussing the matter of Rangers, the chief minister dismissed reports of the Rangers’ powers being clipped and emphasised that their presence will continue as mandated.
“When the Karachi operation was launched, the chief minister was made its captain,” Shah said. “But it appears that while the head is still there, the cap has gone.”
Shah’s sarcasm indicated he believes he is sidelined in decisions made about the Karachi operation.
“The Rangers action will continue as mandated in the resolution,” the chief minister affirmed.
Rejecting allegations that the Rangers overstep their powers, Shah noted, “They [Rangers] have manpower against target killers, extortionists and those involved in kidnapping for ransom.”
He added that Director General Rangers Bilal Akbar was satisfied with the special powers offered to Rangers. Shah added that a summary regarding the Rangers’ stay in Sindh was also being prepared.
Sindh’s opposition parties led by Arbab Ghulam Rahim and Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi have been contemplating the formation of a grand alliance in Sindh against the ruling PPP.
Jatoi has convened a meeting to discuss the matter and the two opposition parties have reached out to MQM as well. They are hoping MQM will join their grand alliance.
PPP swept the local bodies elections in almost all districts of Sindh, barring Karachi and Hyderabad. In these two, MQM clinched mayoral slots in both the Karachi Metropolitan, and the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation.