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Analysis: What now after Zulfiqar Mirza’s bombshell?
Mirza gave specific information along with alleged evidence, against all those he accused.
Zulfiqar Mirza may have become a thorn in the president’s side. But Mirza is one PPP leader that the president will not find it easy to sideline. PHOTO: AFP
Pakistani politics witnessed a new first. Holding the Holy Quran in his hand and then placing it upon his head, Sindh’s senior minister Zulfiqar Ali Mirza made some very bold revelations against his friend’s key, even if troubled, political ally as well as his friend’s closest and most handy aide.
President Asif Ali Zardari perhaps now faces the biggest challenge of his political career as none other than his most loyal friend and senior minister Sindh, Zulfiqar Ali Mirza, at a press conference issued a loaded charge sheet. Mirza gave specific information along with alleged evidence, against all those he accused. He said the ongoing operation was meaningless and that the real killers were not being apprehended.
Zulfiqar Mirza’s attack has produced a complex political dynamic. One with the ‘evidence’ that Zulfiqar Mirza claims he has against the MQM’s alleged involvement in target killings, he has put the MQM under pressure. An MQM on the defensive provides political leverage to the PPP in its ongoing negotiations with that party. It may also help to stem the growing alienation of the Sindhis against the PPP leadership, especially earlier the mishandling of the revival of the local bodies.
The claims made by Zulfiqar Mirza can also potentially strengthen the PPP’s hand in the Supreme Court’s suo motto hearing on the Karachi target killing. The SC bench now meeting in Karachi is bound to call Zulfiqar Mirza to make good his claims in court.
(Read: Suo motu action on Karachi – CJ seeks report from chief secretary, IGP Sindh)
But the most challenging for PPP’s internal politics is Mirza’s attack on Rehman Malik. Zulfiqar Mirza has made specific charges against the interior minister, holding him responsible for leading a “farcical operation” and for being primarily committed to keeping the MQM on board. In addition to his criticism at the press conference, Zulfiqar Mirza, later in a television program insisted that the interior minister “is Pakistan’s enemy and if Pakistan breaks up, then Rehman Malik will be responsible for it.”
Although Mirza insisted that he would remain loyal to the president till his dying day and would give his life in the party’s service, within the immediate context he has created major political challenges for the president. He has alleged that the president’s right-hand man is hand in glove with the killers of innocent citizens.
As for whether these extraordinary revelations will lead to any action against Rehman Malik or the MQM, the punch-line comes from Zulfiqar Mirza himself. While speaking on television he said, “I have rolled the ball, now the ball in the court of the president, army chief, the ISI chief, the PM, the speaker of parliament and the chairman of the senate.” Mirza expects them to use the evidence that he has presented to take action against the MQM and the interior minister. He said the moment the CJP asks him to present himself in court, he will do so.
Zulfiqar Mirza may have become a thorn in the president’s side. But Mirza is one PPP leader that the president will not find it easy to sideline. He will also not able to easily brush aside the alleged charge sheet presented against Rehman Malik nor the MQM. Clearly these moves by Zardari’s closest friend puts the Karachi operation in an even greater spotlight and for all the wrong reasons. It also sharply exposes the weaknesses in Zardari’s politics of “mufahimmat.”
The questions that Mirza’s charge sheet raises only confirms public criticism of the operation. Questions that have no easy answers but ones that will now be repeatedly asked by many political and non-political stake-holders from across the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 29th, 2011.
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All his comments are true but only the half truth , the other part will be told by MQM also .Any ways i guess this is one of the best hands played by the President. No matter how much we undermine him, he turns out to be one of the best politician ever. Securing Sindh nationalists vote Via Zulfiqar Mirza , also gaining with the shia community who have usually voted for Mqm in the past. Zulfiqar Mirza will be thrown to the sidelines for some time but at the time of election he will be the most important player and a savior for PPP in SIndh , Lyari hyderabad and other parts of karachi. If Anp and PPP join hands tough times are arriving for MQM.
Put the blame on rehman Malik for PPP incompetence and association with MQM . What a genius ?
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Dirty politics. I m sure thats it is going no where. We have seen them fighting. We have seen them abusing, even we have seen OUR president making a pact over Quran and funny enough it was not honored. So, people, us will love him for this, and vote for all these ridiculous, but rich and extremely clevr politicians. Its only WE that can bring change, if we stop being numb. I mean, we decides the limits, either he is right or wrong, in both cases, there should be some outcomes. I pray that we live and wake up before we are being eaten up.Recommend
A colossal hornet’s nest has now been stirred. What it will lead to and result in, is anyone’s guess. One thing is certain, both Altaf Hussain and Rehman Malik will come under intense public pressure to explain their side of the story.
Perhaps it is for the best. It is high time the violent affairs of Karachi came under open scrutiny in the glare of daylight, and not remain hidden for the sake of furtive political advantages. The graves of hundreds of ordinary citizens – killed over a period of two decades – require an answer.Recommend
Now ball with Supreme Court. If Mirza can prove Altaf Hussain’s statement that he is helping America to break Pakistan, and he has proof of conveying the same to Corps Commander Karachi and ISI chief – then Supreme Court and Army have no option but to ban MQM and try its entire leadership under Article 6 for high treason. Reconciliation and government is too small thing to worry about, will Supreme Court do that?
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Mirza has said what is obvious to everyone they all the know the cat but no one was brave enough put a bell around the cat ‘s neck. Now he has put all the mice on notice that status quo would not work now either they stand with Pakistan and they stand against it. Now all the usual cowards in the high places will have no place to hide.
Mirza has put his life and career on the line and any one who is loyal to Pakistan must honor his sacrifice.
Some people in Karachi are working to destroy this country and the city and who is being hurt the most. The citizens of the city and Pakistan.
I know several personal friends who are important businessmen in the city and are members of MQM and their feelings are no different then Mirza ‘s.
Choices for Pakistan are not easy.
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What are the options for President Zardari, shall he not expel Zulfiqar Mirza from PPP?
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Mirza’s rant speech left some questions for the people to ask from sindh govt….
Why Rehman Malik become defensive against the allegations made by Mirza?
Do MQM has any proof that Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ibad didn’t pass the orders to release those rampants killers and kidnappers that Mirza claimed he has took into custody of police?
Why CM of karachi accepted his resignation without any question/reason?
ANP is totally out of this game. Isn’t it?Recommend
I am GLAD that someone has finally decided to speak the truth!!
We all know which political parties are involved in the target killings in Karachi.
In order to maintain their image among the public, they do not try to expose each other and keep their dirty secrets while the innocent Muhhajirs, Pathans, Baloch and Sindhis are indiscriminately slaughtered across the city!
I hope the MQM now exposes Mirza and PPP in return and the Supreme Court , uses these evidences to put to task these political parties!Recommend
Love Zulfi……..
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I for one was extremely glad to hear of Mirza’s remarks. After months, even years, of depressing news- of bombs, target killings, corruption, etc- it made for a refreshing and hopeful change to read a politician taking a brave and principled stance. May God protect and bless Mirza for his courage, and may his words have some effect! Even if his views are exaggerated, he has put forward a strong call for justice which should not go unheeded.
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Well, what he exposed is known to many already, but we don’t have the courage to stand up and say what he said. Although he exposed a lot of things, but he stopped short of exposing the killers of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto (Shaheed), which I am sure, he knows and will expose in future at some point of time. For the ones, who can read between the lines, perhaps he already exposed the killer. Brave man. Lets pray that this becomes the turning point for the good that the people are desperate to see.Recommend
Well I am really interested to see what happens now. MQM doesnt have to worry they didnt have friends in establishment anyway… Most interesting would be to see if 1992 styled operation is repeated against MQM. I think ZM has added to the minds of the people the idea that Karachi will not be in Pakistan… maybe it is being planned and he was to deliver the message in most exciting manner
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@Ovais: Political grandstanding, half-truths, and plotting and scheming with bad faith does not equate to being a genius. It always results in disasters. On the contrary, honesty, straight-forwardedness, and sincerity are virtues that will always pay-off in the end. Dr. Mirza stated that he believes in and practices “Hussainiyat.” “Hussainiyat” represented honesty and dedication to truth even at the cost of precious life. If Dr. Mirza is being honest his strategy will pay-off by exposing the wrong-doers and killers. If Dr. Mirza is being deceitful, fully or partially, he will also get due his due justice. Our job, as upright citizens, is to keep our minds open and support the truth without regard to ethnic, linguistic, provincial, or religious affiliations. We must believe and practice that Sindhis, Balochis, Pathans, Punjabis, and Mohajirs, no matter what religion they belong to, are all brothers and humans and if one gets hurt it should hurt us all.Recommend
Analysis: What now after Zulfiqar Mirza’s bombshell?
The sad reality is we have become immune to bombshells so the answer is life will just go on as usual.
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Don’t jump to any conclusion. It’s all political gimmick. His master, Ali Baba is pulling strings from the backstage.
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i wonder why people forgot the statment of altaf hussain while he were requested to people of karachi . to sell out TV & refrigerator and buy the Arms to safe thier Lifes . now they blaming to Zumlfiqar mirza as he is the brave man to point all truth about the MQM . i do not understand why they identified them Muhajir . they lived since past 62 years in karachi but they do not accept pakistan . they should have call all Pakistani not muhajir . if so then they could migrate to thier house in IndiaRecommend