Zulfiqar Mirza backtracks on statements against PML-N

Mirza had said that if there is an undemocratic attack on the PPP, there would be dire consequences for PML-N

KARACHI:

Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza on Monday said that the statements he made on Sunday were not meant to target Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif.

Mirza's backtracking comes less than 24 hours after he made a statement in the Lyari area of Karachi where he had warned the PML-N of consequences if it made any undemocratic attempt to hurt the PPP government in Punjab.

The minister had said that if something happens, the PPP would shut down every office of the PML-N from Karachi to Kashmore.

However, in his statements today, Mirza asserted that there is no presence of any offices or workers of PML-N in Sindh.

He also said that Nawaz Sharif should avoid helping the creation of forward blocs and that such attempts would not be tolerated.

PML-N's 45-day deadline to the PPP for the imposition of its 10-point agenda will end tomorrow.

Updated from print edition (bel0w)

Home minister declares war on Nawaz, Imran

I declare war against Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan, announced Sindh Home Minister and Pakistan Peoples Party Sindh Vice President Zulfiqar Mirza.

Addressing a gathering at Lyari on Sunday, he said if there is an undemocratic attack on the PPP, there would be dire consequences and the party will make sure there is not even a single office of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz left in Sindh “from Karachi to Kashmore.”

The enemies of PPP are enemies of the country. (PML-N) wants to push PPP out of the Punjab, the minister said. “Nawaz Sharif should be careful. He could suffer the same fate as Arbab Ghulam Rahim.”

The countdown to the government’s fall needs to end now, demanded Mirza. “I’m no rogue but if we have to resort to roguishness, then we will.”

Benazir Bhutto said that we have to get rid of Naheed Khan and Safdar Abbasi, he claimed. If Lyari’s jawans were with Benazir Bhutto on December 27, 2007 she would have been here with us today, he added.

Naheed Khan needs to explain why she sent back the Lyari supporters who were appointed for BB’s protection in Multan, Mirza said.

“The battle for the Punjab government is an old one, but we will not let go off the government so easily. We will fight for it in and out of the Assembly and on the motorway.”

Claiming public support, he challenged the PML-N’s government in the Punjab and said that the PPP has never tried to buy votes. “If there is any long march against the government, then the PPP will also march from Karachi to Lahore.” The minister said that Lyari is the heart of the PPP and the people of the area have always supported the party and the Bhutto family. From today, the people of Lyari will have a direct say in national politics, he said. “We have formed an eight-member standing committee to take care of Lyari’s affairs.”

Meanwhile, Katchi Abadis Minister Rafique Engineer said Lyari is a stronghold of the PPP.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 21st, 2011.