MQM condemns Mirza's 'slanderous' statements

Dr Ishratul Ebad said millions of supporters of MQM's chief Altaf Hussain have been hurt by Zulfiqar Mirza's "slanderous" statements. PHOTO: APP/FILE

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Ishratul Ebad termed former Sindh Home Minister and PPP leader Zulfiqar Mirza’s statements as hate speech.

Dr Ishrat said millions of supporters of MQM’s chief Altaf Hussain have been hurt by Zulfiqar Mirza’s “slanderous” statements.

Dr Ishrat further said, Zulfiqar Mirza is inciting hate among the people of Sindh.

Karachi’s former nazim, Mustafa Kamal told Express 24/7 that the statements coming from the PPP leaders are indicative of the intentions of their party.

PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira distanced his party from Mirza’s statements and said that the PPP respects MQM’s chief Altaf Hussain and his mandate.

President Asif Ali Zardari also took note of Mirza’s statements and asked Sindh’s chief minister Qaim Ali Shah to look into the matter and report back in 24-hours.

Meanwhile, avid supporters of MQM have also registered their protest as the Hyderabad Traders Union announced a city-wide strike for today.

MQM protest in Lahore

MQM supporters in Lahore have condemned Zulfiqar Mirza’s statement regarding their party chief.

The protesters burnt tires overnight and blocked Ferozpur Road.

Provoked by Mirza’s statements, activists staged a protest near the Muslim Town junction of Ferozpur Road.

Protestors termed Zulfiqar Mirza’s statements to be inflamatory and intolerable.

Fuming over verbal attacks on MQM’s chief Altaf Hussain, the protestors raised slogans against President Zardari and Mirza alike.

Member of MQM’s coordination committee, Iftikhar Randhawa has raised plead Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry to take note of PPP’s attempts at creating rifts between the nation.