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| India-Pakistan |
| Rangers dilemma |
| 2015-12-30 |
| [DAWN] SINDH continues to be an arena of a fight, with the provincial government confronting both the federal government and the paramilitary Rangers that the centre has posted in Bloody Karachi ...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous... , apparently overriding the objections of the province. As a result, a politico-constitutional crisis is brewing that may imperil the democratic dispensation in Sindh and beyond. Interestingly, all three contenders are justifying their respective stance on legal and constitutional grounds. Rangers: The paramilitary force claims 'absolute powers' under the Anti-Terrorist Act (ATA) to arrest 'any person', including a public servant, who is suspected of involvement in terrorism-related offences. However, corruption finds a dozen alibis for its evil deeds... the putative 'absolute powers' are subject to due process of the law under Article 10-A of the Constitution. Moreover, citizens' life, liberty and dignity, protected under Articles 9 and 14 of the Constitution, cannot be abridged on mere 'suspicion'. Further, the Rangers' quest as an anti-terrorism agency to go against those who are prima facie involved in terrorism-related 'corrupt practices' may lead to double jeopardy for a detainee as seen in the ongoing case of Dr Asim Hussain. He was grilled first by the Rangers under the ATA and now NAB authorities are investigating corruption charges against him. Double jeopardy is prohibited under Article 13 of the Constitution. |
| Posted by:Fred |