KARACHI: Asad Kharal, who is allegedly a frontman of Tariq Sayal surrendered to police in Hyderabad. Earlier, Pakistani media had reported that Rangers had arrested Kharal during a raid conducted in Hyderabad. However, facts are contrary to the media’s claim as a senior Police officer, SSP of Hyderabad had handed him to the Rangers.
Kharal was earlier arrested by Rangers during a raid they conducted in Larkana but Tariq Sayal had puzzled the law enforcers by bulldozing Rangers efforts and released Kharal from Rangers custody. The entire situation had created a serious rift between Rangers and Sindh government, which led to delay in the extension of stay given to Rangers in Sindh.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah had said that Rangers did not have any legal authority to operate in Sindh and that had to limit their actions in Karachi and only for four crimes: extortion, targeted killings, kidnapping for ransom and terrorism. Sources claimed that Kharal had met Sindh Home Minister frequently at his bungalow in Hyderabad where a SSP ranked Police Officer was also present. In the meeting, it was decided to hand over Kharal to Rangers for interrogation.
The rift between Sindh government and Rangers has reached a peak of tension and the Sindh government is reluctant to extend Rangers stay in the province. Rangers had a few days ago released a statement in which they highlighted at least 513 actions in Sindh’s other parts. At present, the chief minister and key provincial ministers and advisers have flown to Dubai for a meeting with Asif Ali Zardari to decide the fate of Rangers in Sindh. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has also flown to Dubai to attend the meeting and earlier he had also discussed the situation with CM at Bilawal House in Karachi on Friday.
On the other hand, Karachi Corps Commander Lieutenant General Naveed Mukhtar called on the chief minister to pass on a message. They discussed the national action plan and the Rangers issue.