Intra-PPP Tensions: Mirza demands ban on Malik’s entry in Sindh

President summons Zulfiqar Mirza to Islamabad over heated debate with Rehman Malik.


Express August 22, 2011

KARACHI:



Sindh Senior Minister Zulfiqar Mirza lashed out at Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik at the special Sindh cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Gilani on Monday, calling for Malik to be banned from entering the province.


Mirza’s flare-up came when he tried to talk about the devastation caused by the floods in Badin, at which point he was reminded by the prime minister that the meeting was called to discuss the law and order situation in Karachi. At that point, Mirza angrily denounced Malik, who was also present at the meeting, saying that Malik was not bothered by the violence in Karachi.

“Malik sahib is always pleading the case of one political party during every meeting and does not care about the law and order situation in Karachi,” said Mirza, alluding Malik’s efforts at reconciling the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) with the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

“All of this [violence] is happening in Karachi because of his [Malik’s] role,” said Mirza. “I request that a ban be imposed on his entry in Sindh.”

Mirza accused the interior minister of interfering in Sindh affairs. Malik, for his part, remained silent during the entire diatribe and instead relied on the prime minister defending his actions. Prime Minister Gilani said that Malik did not take any actions that were not authorised by him [Gilani] or President Asif Ali Zardari.

The PPP tried to downplay the fight between the two. Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said: “There was not any kind of fight, scuffle or exchange of heated words between them.”

Later, both Malik and Mirza were shown on state-owned Pakistan Television (PTV) hugging each other and being cordial. However, it was later confirmed that Mirza was summoned by the president to Islamabad.



Published in The Express Tribune, August 23rd, 2011.

COMMENTS (27)

Maverick | 12 years ago | Reply

What I do not understand is why is everyone talking about Sindh, Punjab, Baluchistan etc? For once cant we all be just Pakistanis? Please, please, please stop using the Sindh / Punjab / KPK / Baluchistan cards. Remember of there is no Pakistan there is no Sindh / KPK / Baluchistan or Punjab.

AYAZ BUKHARI | 12 years ago | Reply @Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: siddiqui sahab, i respect your point of view, but being the citizen of sindh, will you allow any federal member to inter-fare in your personal and internal law and order situation. your answer would be no definitely. "sindh hamara hai", means sindh is of sindhi people. whats wrong in it??? sindhi people are those people who were passed the resolution of the pakistan first time on 3rd march 1943 when punjab, nwfp denied. we were the people who laid the foundation stone of pakistan. we sindhi people are very hostile, wellcoming all the emigrants from the india,punjab,nwfp but our this positive deed has become the reason of downfall of sindhi nation. jis tarha punjab panjabio ka hai, balochistan balochon ka hai, isi tarha sindh hamara hai, SINDH IS THE PROPERTY OF SINDHI'S there is no conflict in it and there is even no need to create one.
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