July 06, 2015
News
PPP, MQM unite against additional powers to FIA
* As Qaim maintains that any raid by FIA in province is tantamount to an ‘invasion’, Altaf announces to extend political, legal support if PPP govt challenges the move in courtKARACHI: Just two days after Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain’s outburst against Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadership over what he said an indifferent and undemocratic attitude, two parties on Monday were seen united on the issue of grant of police powers to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
As Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah maintained that FIA and NAB had no jurisdiction in Sindh and that any raid by them in the province is tantamount to an ‘invasion’, MQM chief Altaf Hussain instantly threw his weight behind the PPP chief minister and announced to extend every political, legal and moral support if Sindh government challenges the grant of additional powers to the FIA in a court.
The chief minister told audience at a ceremony organised by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) that the executive authority of the federal government or officers of its agencies cannot perform the functions of Sindh government in respect of criminal offences pertaining to corruption of provincial civil servants.
He said that the Sindh government usually gives such powers to the Rangers but without asking the Sindh government, the NAB and FIA have been allowed by the Centre to conduct raids in provincial and local government offices, arrest officers. He said this move will paralyse the day-to-day working of the provincial government. “I would not allow this. I consider it an invasion. We will challenge it,” he said categorically.
Replying to a question regarding extending the powers of Rangers for another four months, the chief minister told the journalist, “It is sub judice between you and me.” Pressed again, the chief minister said he has already replied to the question.
Clarifying his position vis-a-vis Altaf Hussain’s assertion that he refused to take his call a couple of days back, Qaim Ali Shah said that he left a meeting to take Altaf Hussain’s call but the latter was so angry that he hung up the phone. “Altaf was very angry. He asked me what was happening in Sindh, but dropped the phone before I could answer,” he said. “Altaf Hussain had hung up the call, not me. He sounded quite angry,” he said and added Altaf Hussain is very respectable to him and his party.
MQM leader Altaf Hussain instantly praised the bold stance taken by Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah on the issue of giving additional powers to the FIA. He said that the MQM fully supports the stand taken by the CM that giving more powers to the FIA was tantamount to an attack on Sindh and a great injustice.
“CM Sindh has rightly said that legislation should be done to stop such injustices with the provinces.” Altaf assured the chief minister that the MQM would extend every political, legal and moral support if the Sindh government challenges this move by the federal government in any court.
Altaf said that Sindh is being treated like a colony for the past 68 years. “People of Sindh must wake up now and make a united effort to bring an end to the current ‘occupied’ status and make their province autonomous. He urged the parliamentarians from Sindh to set aside their ideological differences and launch a united effort for the legal and constitutional rights of the province.
Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan later telephoned Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and discussed matters related to law and order.
Interior Ministry in a statement said that the minister told the chief minister that the recent powers given to the FIA under law of Protection of Pakistan were not specific to Sindh only. He said the basic purpose of additional powers for the FIA was to give it responsibility for investigation of those crimes which were international and inter-provincial in nature and were outside the purview of the police. Nisar said, “We respect provincial autonomy and no province should have reservations regarding this.”
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk