The Chief Minister said the meeting was held in a cordial environment and that all reservations of the provincial government were presented to the premier. Qaim Ali Shah said that the Karachi operation is continuing with consensus of all political parties, adding that the federal government would agree on his point of view anytime soon. "Eighty percent peace has been restored in the city due to successful efforts," he added.
He said that the DG Rangers and other officials had been instructed verbally to consult the chief minister or the chief secretary before making political arrests many times before. Shah said Sindh had been empowered after the 18th Amendment to ratify Rangers' powers, a right it exercised through its legislative assembly.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah on Wednesday agreed that no compromise will be made over Rangers-led operation against criminals and terrorists in Karachi, official sources said. The Sindh Chief Minister called on the premier at PM's House on latter's invitation to discuss issues related to law and order and the role of Rangers in Sindh.
Sources said the PM assured Qaim that Sindh government's reservations over security issues would be addressed. Nawaz and CM discussed the overall security situation in Sindh. It was decided that Karachi operation is in the interest of all and it would continue in full swing, sources said.
Qaim Ali Shah also raised the issue of Centre's interference in provincial matters, saying that it was against provincial autonomy. Meddling in provincial matters should come to end, Qaim demanded. The two leaders also discussed Rangers special powers in Sindh. The provincial leadership also demanded Rs 9 billion as part of expenses of the Karachi operation. Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, as well as provincial ministers Murad Ali Shah and Sohail Anwar Siyyal were also in attendance at the meeting.