Federal agencies 'unnecessarily aggressive' in Sindh, Qaim tells Nawaz

Published August 20, 2015
CM Syed Qaim Ali Shah spoke to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the Governor House on Thursday. - File Photo
CM Syed Qaim Ali Shah spoke to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the Governor House on Thursday. - File Photo

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Thursday told Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a high-end law and order meeting that federal agencies have become "unnecessarily aggressive" in Sindh.

"This is not only beyond their jurisdiction but against the Constitution of Pakistan," the chief minister remarked.

The meeting was held at the Governor House during the prime minister's visit to the metropolis Thursday.

Qaim Ali Shah explained that under the constitution, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) have no jurisdiction in provincial matters.

"Every institution must work within its own domain and mandate, otherwise complications, serious problems and mistrust may take place," he observed.

The chief minister also said, "Sindh is under attack. Around 70 per cent of our bureaucracy has stopped working. Performance of government machinery has also been affected badly due to the frequent raids by FIA and NAB."

Read: Sindh govt, FIA at loggerheads over raid on Civic Centre.

Over 56,000 files, most of them relating to land records, were recently seized by the FIA in raids on the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s (KMC) land department.

In a press conference earlier this month, Shah had alleged that NAB and FIA were exceeding their authority and violating the autonomy given to provinces under the 18th Amendment.

Read: Qaim discontent with NAB, Rangers performance in Sindh.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar lauded the efforts of the chief minister and assured him that he would talk to officials at the FIA.

"They (FIA) would take the Sindh chief secretary into confidence before taking any inquiry in hand, if necessary," said Nisar.

Law enforcing agencies also briefed the premier at the meeting and said that kidnapping for ransom, extortion and target killing have declined considerably.

In 2013, some 1,524 cases of extortion were reported. In 2014, the number of cases decreased to 899 and in 2015 so far, only 29 such cases have been recorded.

Similarly, there were 174 cases of kidnapping for ransom in 2013, 115 cases during 2014 and 13 cases have been reported so far this year.

The meeting was told that peace has returned to the city after a prolonged targeted operation.

The premier was also informed that ghost employees, who have been receiving salaries but are absent from their workplace, have been removed from SITE Ltd by installing a biometric system for recording attendance. This has reportedly saved the government Rs14.5million.

The prime minister was also informed during the briefing that the courts were granting bails in terrorist cases due to weak investigation, prosecution and lack of evidence.

Sindh chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah told the prime minister that he was personally monitoring the investigation and prosecution of important cases.

"I have approved the appointment of prosecutors and strictly posted investigation officers on merit. I have also approved additional funds for better investigation," he said and added that the conviction rate would improve shortly.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed satisfaction on the performance of the law enforcing agencies and directed the interior minister to work out a comprehensive plan to launch a disarmament campaign across the country.

Opinion

Who bears the cost?

Who bears the cost?

This small window of low inflation should compel a rethink of how the authorities and employers understand the average household’s

Editorial

Internet restrictions
23 Dec, 2024

Internet restrictions

JUST how much longer does the government plan on throttling the internet is a question up in the air right now....
Bangladesh reset
23 Dec, 2024

Bangladesh reset

THE vibes were positive during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent meeting with Bangladesh interim leader Dr...
Leaving home
23 Dec, 2024

Leaving home

FROM asylum seekers to economic migrants, the continuing exodus from Pakistan shows mass disillusionment with the...
Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...