ISLAMABAD/KARACHI:
Terming the former Sindh home minister “part of the PPP family”, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani refused to disown the fiery Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, fuelling even further tensions between the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and its coalition partner the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).
Allegations made by the former Sindh home minister against the MQM hit some nerves, forcing a strong reaction from the party’s leadership, particularly when Mirza jetted off to London on Tuesday night, announcing that he was going there to brief Scotland Yard and the House of Lords about MQM leader Dr Imran Farooq’s murder, “with a briefcase full of evidence”. Not only that, but when TV footage on Wednesday showed Mirza arriving in London with Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon in tow, leaders of the MQM went knocking on Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah’s door, demanding to know whether Memon was there in his personal capacity or if he was representing the Sindh government.
While a three-member MQM delegation was paying the chief minister a visit in Karachi, demanding that the government take immediate action against the Sindh information minister, Prime Minister Gilani meanwhile, in Islamabad, vowed on the floor of the National Assembly (NA) that despite all their differences, Mirza would remain part of the PPP family.
“The PPP is like a family and Zulfiqar Mirza is part [of that family], despite all the differences,” the prime minister said while addressing the Lower House in response to Opposition leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan’s demand that Mirza should be directed to reveal whatever evidence he claims to have which he believes will dismantle the country.
Before the NA session began, a delegation of the MQM, led by their parliamentary leader, met with Gilani to express their reservations regarding Memon accompanying Mirza on his trip to London.
MQM chief Altaf reacts for the first time
After repeatedly refusing to comment on allegations levelled by Mirza against MQM chief Altaf Hussain and his party, Altaf spoke out for the first time on Wednesday through a press release, terming the claims “baseless”.
Earlier in the evening the MQM chief also spoke to President Asif Ali Zardari over the telephone.
According to the MQM’s London Secretariat, while speaking to the party’s legal aid committee, Altaf also denied ever writing a letter to the British prime minister for disbanding the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency. “The MQM and its leadership are patriots of Pakistan and can’t ever think of hatching any conspiracies to dismantle Pakistan in connivance with the West or the US,” the statement quoted Altaf as saying.
MQM delegation meets Gilani
Earlier on Wednesday, an MQM delegation, led by Babar Ghauri, met with Prime Minister Gilani and sought an explanation regarding the Sindh information minister accompanying Mirza in London.
Gilani rang up the chief minister and directed him to address the grievances of the MQM, a party leader told The Express Tribune.
MQM delegation knocks on chief minister’s door
Soon after the phone call from the prime minister, a three-member delegation of the MQM, including Faisal Subzwari, Raza Haroon and Shaikh Muhammad Afzal, called on Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah in Karachi later in the evening.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, MQM Spokesman Wasey Jalil said that during the meeting, his party had demanded that the government take strict action against Memon for tagging along with Mirza to London.
Asked to comment on Gilani’s statement regarding Mirza in the National Assembly, he said, “We have already asked the government to take action against Sharjeel Memon and to explain their position on Mirza. It will become easier for us to make a decision if they don’t do so.”
Memon returns today
Meanwhile, putting off all his plans in London, the Sindh information minister is scheduled to arrive back home today (Thursday morning).
As soon as he arrives, Memon is to hold a press conference where he will announce an important decision, sources within the party said.
“I don’t care about the MQM’s reservations. I am accountable only to my party’s leadership,” an indifferent Memon said while speaking to a TV channel from London.
The PPP leadership has already directed the chief minister to take action against all party leaders who, despite repeated warnings, have not given up their association with Mirza, government sources said, adding that it was very likely that Memon’s portfolio will be taken away.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 17th, 2011.
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Where are all the PPP supporters that are hard bent on defaming PTI, come on defend your savior lol. Might it be Mirza or Altaf?
How come ????
A desperate MQM is trying to put a dent into the PPP while PPP must now realize that they need to show some morals while conducting affairs of politics.... i.e. calling a spade a spade!
Here goes Memon also to save Zardari's government whose formulae is that power must be retained at all costs,