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Interference by federal agencies is invasion of Sindh: Shah

Terming the latest anti-corruption drive by federal agencies in Karachi as "invasion of Sindh", provincial Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has said that interference by federal agencies in the provincial government's affairs has become intolerable.
Talking to reporters in Karachi on Friday evening, the Sindh chief minister gave vent to an uncharacteristic outburst of anger saying the arrest of Dr Asim Hussain, former federal minister and close confidante of former president Asif Ali Zardari, on corruption and terror financing was beyond comprehension.
He said during his meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Karachi a couple of days ago, he had lodged a protest and told him it amounts to invasion of Sindh by federal agencies trampling the provincial autonomy.
"The arrest of Dr Asim is a major incident. It is unfair and regrettable that the agencies concerned, which are legally bound to take me into confidence before arresting the person of such a calibre, did not inform me," he said.
Shah said on Friday he had confronted the director-general of Rangers with similar question who showed me some evidence to assert that Dr Asim was arrested on the basis of some solid proofs.
"I was not impressed with the reply and told him that the charges had to be proven in a court of law through fair legal procedure."
"Dr Asim is the chairman of Higher Education Commission (HEC) in Sindh. He has the status of a provincial minister. The concerned agencies were legally bound to take me into confidence before taking a person of such status into custody," he said.
"But I was never informed before the arrest was made. This is unwarranted and unfair," he said.
The Sindh chief minister also came down hard on security and law enforcement agencies over the latest development.
"I am the boss of this province and I head the ongoing operation (in Karachi). The inspector-general of police and the director-general of Rangers work under my supervision. Maintaining law and order in Karachi and other parts of Sindh is my responsibility," he said.
"There is no rule of the jungle. We will not let that prevail."
Shah said that he spoke to the Karachi corps commander and the Rangers director-general soon after Dr Asim was arrested.
"They told me there were complaints against Dr Asim but when they sent me the details, I found the complaints to be vague and without substance," he said.
The Sindh chief minister added that if there were serious complaints against the HEC Sindh chairman, they should have been probed and substantiated before he was arrested.
"The procedure was not followed in this case and that has caused worry among leaders of my party (PPP). They hold me responsible because they have elevated me to the position of chief minister."
Shah said he also met the Rangers director-general on Friday.
"He assured me that the issue will be settled and that I will be taken into confidence before such actions are taken in the future. I hope Dr Asim will be released soon," Shah added.
Meanwhile, the chief minister said he has been informed that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and other federal agencies will "stop their intrusions in Sindh within two days".
"We are also working to stop their excessive actions in Sindh," Qaim Ali Shah said.
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