KARACHI, Oct 16: Directives from Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim to remove hoardings and banners put up by the Pakistan People’s Party to welcome its chairperson Benazir Bhutto upon her return on October 18 seem to have gone unheard as the local administration has failed to enforce the orders, while police officials have also remained aloof claiming it was not part of their job.
The Sindh police have turned down orders from the Chief Minister’s House to take down the promotional material citing the reason that they were busy finalizing security arrangements for the former prime minister.
Sources in the police said a meeting on Tuesday, chaired by the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO), wrapped up with a clear message to the CM’s House concerning the issue, which was the second setback to the chief minister after the city government also appeared less than enthusiastic about removing the material from its properties.
“The police, in fact, have no authority to act like a local administration,” a senior official said, citing discussions at the meeting. “The Sindh police are in the middle of planning for Oct 18, which would be a big day in terms of security measures. It demands consistency in the arrangements. We don’t have much spare time to remove such things [banners and hoardings], neither is it our job,” he added.
‘Not our jurisdiction’
The city government of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement – a major coalition partner in the centre and in Sindh – has already declined to follow the CM’s directives saying the hoardings and banners he was referring to were not in its areas of administration, as these were placed mostly in the cantonment board’s jurisdiction.
Hundreds of billboards have been put up across the city with slogans welcoming Ms Bhutto’s return, as PPP workers are considerably excited ahead of their leader’s return after spending eight years in self-imposed exile to avoid corruption charges.
The twice-elected prime minister was given an amnesty by President General Pervez Musharraf earlier this month against corruption charges through the National Reconciliation Ordinance. However, the ordinance apparently hasn’t convinced the Sindh CM.
“We will not allow any threat to law and order,” said Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim. “The Supreme Court has already issued a stay order on the National Reconstruction Ordinance, while there are some cases pending against Benazir. So she will have to decide to return or not.”
He asked the local administration to remove all the banners and hoardings put up to welcome the PPP leader from all public buildings and other properties, warning of action against those who defied the government’s orders. However, different agencies have given various justifications for defying the CM’s orders.
“Actually, there is a misconception about the police,” said CCPO Azhar Ali Farooqi. “The police can only help those government agencies which are responsible for such a job if they face any resistance. But it can’t do these things on its own. It’s not the police’s job,” he reiterated.
He denied any instructions were received by the police for such action from the chief minister.
Sources in the Chief Minister’s House said Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim was set to take a round of the city late on Tuesday to check the extent of his orders’ implementation.“After that the chief minister can take a final decision against those who failed to enforce his orders,” said a source.
Police protocol
Two officers of the Sindh police have been given charge of escorting Benazir Bhutto’s cavalcade on Oct 18.
Two officers -- SP Javed Baloch currently posted at New Karachi and SP Pir Fareed Jan Sarhandi, posted in the CID -- will escort the motorcade.
Sources said that representatives of the Pakistan People’s Party, who are in negotiations with the government, had requested for A.D. Khawaja to accompany Benazir, but the city police chief showed his inability to post him for the duty.
Sources said that SP Javed Baloch will lead the cavalcade while Pir Fareed Jan Sarhandi will escort the tail of the motorcade.
