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                        <title>The Express Tribune</title>
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			<title>'Zulfiqar Mirza has no intention to record statement against MQM'</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/576809/zulfikar-mirza-has-no-intention-to-record-statement-against-mqm</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/576809/zulfikar-mirza-has-no-intention-to-record-statement-against-mqm#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 14 Jul 13 11:51:58 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=576809</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Speculation is rife that former Sindh home minister will help the Scotland Yard investigation.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Former Sindh Home Minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Zulfiqar Mirza’s visit to London has led to speculation that he would help the Scotland Yard investigation against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain for money laundering and instigating violence in Karachi.

When contacted, one of Mirza's close aides said that the PPP leader was on a personal visit to London.

“Mirza has gone with his family. He has no intentions to record a statement against the MQM chief,” PPP MNA Kamal Chang from Badin said.

Local media reported that President Asif Ali Zardari, who is also in London, telephoned Mirza and requested him to not meet with the British investigators. The latter, however, allegedly refused to abide by the president’s advice.

Mirza is said to be the arch rival of MQM chief Altaf Hussain.

He had resigned from the ministry and a senior position in the PPP about two years ago after criticizing Altaf Hussain and the MQM for being involved in creating havoc in Karachi. Mirza later went to London and had announced he would lodge a complaint with Scotland Yard with evidence against the MQM, but the PPP -- that was a coalition partner in the government -- had asked him to refrain from doing so.]]>
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			<title>As the operation continues, Lyari looks for the doctor</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/373099/as-the-operation-continues-lyari-looks-for-the-doctor</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/373099/as-the-operation-continues-lyari-looks-for-the-doctor#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 02 May 12 22:47:21 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hafeez Tunio]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=373099</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Why has Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, not said anything so far?]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[As all eyes are on Lyari, Lyari’s eyes are on Dr Zulfiqar Mirza – the beleaguered constituency’s knight in red, black and green armour. But for reasons best known to perhaps the president, this Pakistan Peoples Party figure is silent.

His silence is taking a toll. It is day six of a police operation to cleanse the helter-skelter settlement of criminals despite resistance from its residents. Lyari may have long been a PPP fortress that few outsiders could breach through the ballot, but the government’s decision to set the police on it has not gone down well. The only person who could have helped, argue its people, is Zulfiqar Mirza, who stepped down as the home minister.

“This is the time to prove who is loyal with whom,” remarked Lyari resident Khadija Laasi, who had come out to protest on Wednesday. “We are looking for Mirza who used to say that he would fight for our rights till the last drop of blood in his veins. We will not go after him to help us, but he should come to our help.”

If Mirza has been watching what has been happening in Lyari, he certainly hasn’t said anything. He is believed to be at his DHA residence and avoiding meeting PPP leaders who are generally close to him.

Party members close to him offered one explanation; after receiving strict instructions from the president, Mirza is avoiding creating trouble for his wife, Fahmida Mirza who is the speaker of the National Assembly, and his son Hasnain, who was recently elected an MPA to the very seat Mirza vacated.

A key figure in Lyari and a leader of the banned Peoples Amn Committee, Zafar Baloch, said that they had neither contacted Mirza nor had he approached them. He was fairly diplomatic in his assessment of the lack of visible support from Mirza – “perhaps he has had to compromise for the sake of his wife and son’s political career”.

“We still respect Dr Mirza, who might have some political commitments with his leadership. But I can say that no one can be a leader while ignoring the rights of their people. We need ration bags not hollow promises. The operation in Lyari has now exposed how these people [who claim to be true leaders] are committed to us.”

Mirza was once close to the amn committee. In fact Zafar and Uzair Baloch flanked him at a press conference when he railed against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, a move that has since relegated him to the virtual political margins of the PPP at least in the public’s perception.

The people of Lyari who were allied with the amn committee recall March 2 when Mirza was feted at Baloch Cultural Day. As the home minister, he controlled the police and when the Rangers started an operation in Lyari he threatened to resign. When the PAC was banned Mirza had said that he would try to revive it.

Aside from Mirza, most other PPP members have been silent, with perhaps the exception of Sindh Culture Minister Sassui Palijo, the only woman MPA who contested the election on her own in Thatta. She has been voicing her opinion against the operation at meetings and events.

A senior PPP parliamentarian explained that the party has surrendered under a reconciliation policy. “All members are afraid of getting explanation calls. No one is now willing to speak against the party policy.”

Former information minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, who is close to Mirza, did not want to comment either. For his part, PPP MPA Saleem Hingoro from Lyari said that though they had supported an operation against criminals, people were angry. “We have clearly communicated the message to our leadership that the same kind of operation must be carried out in other disturbed areas.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3rd, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Tribune’s Gamechangers 2011: Zulfiqar Mirza</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/317473/tribune%e2%80%99s-gamechangers-2011-zulfiqar-mirza</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/317473/tribune%e2%80%99s-gamechangers-2011-zulfiqar-mirza#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jan 12 13:00:14 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=317473</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Hell hath no fury like a Mirza scorned.]]>
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				<![CDATA[With years of frustration piled up, “Hurricane Mirza” hit Karachi and the MQM with a diatribe of a lifetime in the midst of the worst violence the city had seen in years.

From inappropriate taunts (including attacks on PPP members) to claims of conspiracies to break up Pakistan, the former home minister of Sindh unleashed an attack on the MQM that resulted in lost lives, an epic (somewhat) rebuttal from MQM chief Altaf Hussain, and finally, Mirza’s own resignation from the Sindh cabinet, the Sindh Assembly as well as his position as the senior vice president in the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Sticking up for the Peoples Amn Committee and MQM-H leader Afaq Ahmed, Mirza’s mark on 2011, particularly on the city of Karachi and ties between the MQM and PPP, has been forever etched into history, and may yet yield surprises in 2012.

Quote: “Rehman Malik is such a congenital liar that if he is having an apple when you call him, he will say he is having a banana.”]]>
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			<title>Political parties turn up their noses at Mirza’s empty Badin seat</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/319072/dull-race-political-parties-turn-up-their-noses-at-mirza%e2%80%99s-empty-badin-seat</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/319072/dull-race-political-parties-turn-up-their-noses-at-mirza%e2%80%99s-empty-badin-seat#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 12 21:25:35 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hafeez Tunio]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=319072</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[They do not want to ‘waste their energy’ on a seat that will be held for just a year.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Zulfiqar Mirza’s resignation left his Badin seat vacant. But instead of a clamour to fight for this slot, the field is conspicuously quiet on the campaign front.


People are expected to vote on February 15 for the by-election on PS-57 Tando Bago. “The date has been announced, but there seems to be no campaigning in the constituency,” said PPP-MPA Dr Sikander Mandhro, who is also the president of the Badin division of the party. “I do not know who the next candidate will be even though only two days are left to submit nomination forms.”

Sources from the PPP said that Zulfikar Mirza’s son, Hasnain, may be nominated for the seat. But some leaders of the party oppose this. During a meeting held at Chief Minister House a few days ago, two members of the Sindh Assembly, Nawaz Chandio and Babu Talpur, recommended the names of former MPAs, Pir Amjad Shah Jilani and Gafoor Nizamani instead. “We will protest if Husnain Mirza is nominated,” they warned.

Thus, at this point in time, even the party’s senior leader in Badin as well as the members of its election board do not know who the candidate will be.

The leaders of other political parties said that they did not want to spend their energy on a seat which will be occupied for only a year. Some of them are even considering challenging the by-elections on the basis of electoral fraud.

The leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Muttahida Qaumi Movement were uncertain about whether they wanted to take part in the elections.

However, the PPP should expect some competition. Former minister for population and social welfare, Syed Ali Bux Shah, who belongs to Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, said that he would not let the PPP win the election so easily. “It is my constituency. I had won the election in 2002. It is no longer possible for the PPP to defeat me if fair elections are held,” he claimed. Shah also expressed his concern over electoral fraud and requested the election commission to expedite the verification of the electoral rolls. “There are slim chances for election to take place because many people are willing to challenge it. Besides, everything is a mess because of the floods – the schools and dispensaries are still inundated. Where will the election booths be set up?” he asked.

On the other hand the PML-Q likeminded group has announced that it will nominate Saen Bux Jamali, a landlord of the area, to contest the by-election on behalf of the party.

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has a name but it’s Sindh general secretary, Dr Hasan Raza Memon, said he was not at liberty to make any announcement. He felt that it would be good practice for the party to go through the exercise and that they had good support in the area.

“The former provincial minister has done nothing for his people in his own constituency and we are in better position there,” he told The Express Tribune. “Let people decide which party is better for them.” Memon added that they were meeting today to decide on a candidate.

Meanwhile, another PTI leader, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Express Tribune that his party had already filed a petition against the scandal in the 2007 electoral rolls - about 47 per cent of the 81.2 million votes were bogus. “We may push for a stay order against the by-election because the commission itself has confessed that it will not be possible to finish the verification process of electoral rolls before May. How can anybody expect fair results?” he said.

The seat fell vacant after Dr Zulfikar Mirza resigned on August 28, 2011.

The election commissioner, Sono Khan Baloch, said that according to the schedule, candidates will submit their nominations forms on January 12. These documents will be assessed on January 16 and 17. The date of withdrawal from the elections has been fixed to January 26.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10th, 2012. ]]>
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			<title>Tribune’s Gamechangers  2011: Peoples Amn Committee</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/317592/tribune%e2%80%99s-gamechangers-2011-peoples-amn-committee</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/317592/tribune%e2%80%99s-gamechangers-2011-peoples-amn-committee#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 08 Jan 12 11:14:49 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=317592</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Redefining the term ‘gangsta’.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The story of the Peoples Amn Committee would have been lapped up by Martin Scorsese.

The Baloch-majority group, headquartered and based in Lyari, was formed by the late Rehman Dakait, a gang leader who ‘reformed’ himself and re-emerged as ‘Sardar Abdul Rahman Baloch’. In the past few years, the group has been blamed for everything from targeted killings, extortion and torture, but it enjoys the support – covertly and overtly – of the Pakistan Peoples Party. Zulfiqar Mirza took up PAC’s cause this year, but his resignation meant that PAC was left without a public defender. The group has now been banned.

PAC, for its part, denies it plays a role in the violence and points to its work in defending Lyari and its residents as a sign of its positive impact.

Quote: “Weapons? Who doesn’t have arms in Pakistan?” - PAC leader Uzair Jan Baloch]]>
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			<title>Another one bites the dust: I did not resign under pressure, says Sharjeel</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/294376/i-will-remain-friends-with-mirza-for-as-long-as-i-live-sharjeel-memon</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/294376/i-will-remain-friends-with-mirza-for-as-long-as-i-live-sharjeel-memon#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 19 Nov 11 21:30:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=294376</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sharmila Faruqi a possible contender for the vacant post of information minister or adviser.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Sharjeel Memon has become another casualty from Sindh’s cabinet for aligning himself with the forces opposed to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). But he says he did not resign as information minister under any pressure and instead volunteered.

“I was neither under any pressure nor did anybody ask me to resign. I offered myself to step down if my London visit has caused any embarrassment to my party,” he told reporters at the Karachi airport on Saturday after his arrival from Islamabad.

His resignation has, however, sent ripples through the rank and file of the Pakistan People’s Party in Sindh as many of its MPAs were privately expressing their concern about future elections. A sizeable group of MPAs had already assured Dr Zulfiqar Mirza of their support and vowed to oppose any changes in local body system.

Memon who resigned after being asked to do so by President Asif Ali Zardari during a short meeting on Friday, once again clarified that his London visit had nothing to do with Mirza. He was summoned by the Presidency on Friday to explain his position after the MQM objected however. He tendered his resignation after meeting President Asif Zardari.

Sources close to Sharjeel Memon said that he had gone to London after he was granted 10 days of leave abroad by the President. Since he travelled to London with Zulfiqar Mirza on the same plane, the MQM threatened once again to part ways with the PPP unless Sharjeel Memon was sacked. President Zardari is reported to have assured the MQM that he would remove Memon from the ministerial slot.

An official at Chief Minister house confirmed that Memon’s resignation has been received. But, since Qaim Ali Shah was in Khairpur, a summary of his resignation is likely to be forwarded to the governor either on Monday or Tuesday.

Sharjeel Memon, who returned his official cars on Saturday, was cautious in his reaction while talking to the media. “My position as minister and my membership of the Sindh Assembly is only because of the PPP and the party is authorised to take it back. The PPP is my identity and I will always remain loyal to it,” he said, adding that Zulfiqar Mirza was his personal friend and would always be.

He also confirmed that he cut short his visit to London after he received a phone call from Chief Minister House that Shah wanted him to return.

He refused to apologise to the MQM, saying that, “the MQM is a coalition partner of my party, therefore removing its concern is justified, but I will not apologise to it. I am a member of the PPP and not of the coalition partner. I will not apologise to it,” he said.

Meanwhile, there were reports about a race going on for his successor. Sources privy to the PPP and CM House conceded that Sharmila Faruqi was a favourite.

(with additional input from PPI)

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Estranged allies: In London, Mirza keeps PPP, MQM on their toes</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/293339/mirza-submits-evidence-against-mqm-to-scotland-yard</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/293339/mirza-submits-evidence-against-mqm-to-scotland-yard#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 17 Nov 11 12:51:22 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hafeez Tunio]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=293339</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[President steps in to appease MQM as party walks out of National Assembly .]]>
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				<![CDATA[While controversial Dr Zulfiqar Mirza stuck to his guns on Thursday and submitted what he insisted was “evidence” against the MQM to the Scotland Yard, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement walked out of the National Assembly in protest, after which the president had to personally intervene to appease the estranged ally.

Meanwhile, the man behind MQM’s fury, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, returned to Karachi on Thursday and claimed that his visit to London was a personal one.

After having furthered tensions between the Pakistan People Party (PPP) and MQM, Memon said he will accept whatever decision is made by his party’s leadership. “I had not coordinated my visit with Mirza and was surprised to see him on the same flight,” he said.

President meets MQM delegation

Furious over Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon accompanying MQM’s most bitter critic to London, a three-member delegation led by Dr Farooq Sattar met President Asif Ali Zardari to express their grievances.

However, President Asif Ali Zardari seems to have helped settle the situation. “The president has assured us that he will be taking immediate and stern action against Memon. He also said that he would not tolerate any one who tries to damage PPP-MQM relations,” MQM parliamentary leader in the National Assembly Dr Farooq Sattar said.

Sattar added that during the meeting, the president also phoned MQM chief Altaf Hussain.

Memon has been summoned by the president. A party source said it is likely that Memon will be replaced. When asked, the party’s information secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira, however, said he could not speculate on what action the president would take.

MQM walks out of National Assembly

The government appeared to have no friend in the National Assembly on Thursday when the MQM walked out in protest of what they said was the “official protocol” accorded to Mirza.

MQM Deputy Parliamentary Leader in the house Haider Abbass Rizvi led the boycott and said his party wanted the government to explain its position. “It is a grave situation and it’s not acceptable to us,” he said before leaving the house. Some federal ministers tried to bring back the angered lawmakers, but to no avail.

Mirza submits evidence to Scotland Yard 

Amidst all this, Mirza claimed he had submitted evidence against the MQM in the Dr Imran Farooq’s murder case to the Scotland Yard. He, however, did not give any details about the documents submitted, Express 24/7 reported.  A TV channel reported that the evidence comprised phone records and transcripts of interviews but was not admissable.

PPP Sindh takes action

Back in Karachi, Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah suspended the membership of PPP-MPA Imdad Pitafi for his association with Mirza.

Addressing a press conference along with around 12 ministers and MPAs of his party, Shah, who is also the president of the PPP’s Sindh chapter, criticised Dr Mirza and said that “he [Mirza] is no more a PPP worker and all his statements against MQM chief Altaf Hussain should be considered his personal opinion.” This statement came a day after Prime Minister Gilani said that the former Sindh home minister was “part of the PPP family.”

Everyone’s not on the CM’s side

In a late night meeting, PPP parliamentarians huddled at the CM House to formalise a strategy for today’s (Friday) Sindh assembly session.

As the meeting commenced, Shah, chairing the meeting, briefed MPAs about the decision to disown Zulfiqar Mirza and suspend the party membership of MPA Imdad Pitafi.

However, everyone was not on the CM’s side. Some members opposed the chief minister’s views, including MPA Aisha Khoso from Jacobabad and Sardar Ahmed Pitafai from Ghotki.

(Read: Friction within the PPP)

To deal with the turbulent situation, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani contacted the leadership of the allied parties and discussed with them the precarious situation.

A meeting between Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain who heads his faction of Pakistan Muslim League Qauid and Prime Minister Gilani was held on Thursday afternoon where Shujaat assured Gilani his party’s full support.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 18th,  2011.]]>
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			<title>PPP distances itself from Mirza, MQM criticizes coalition partner</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/293316/ppp-distances-itself-from-mirza-mqm-criticizes-coalition-partner</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/293316/ppp-distances-itself-from-mirza-mqm-criticizes-coalition-partner#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 17 Nov 11 09:59:06 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah says all party members warned to stay away from Zulfiqar Mirza.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said on Thursday that all party members have been warned to stay away from Zulfiqar Mirza as the former minister had no links with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Speaking to the media in Karachi, Shah said the PPP had a very clear stance on the issue and that he condemned Mirza’s statements.

Shah assured Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain of his support and appreciated his support for the PPP during hard times.

The chief minister said that Imdad Pitafi’s membership had been cancelled. Regarding Sharjeel Memon and his move to disassociate himself from Zulfiqar Mirza, Shah said that President Asif Zardari will take a final decision after meeting him.

Sharjeel Memon earlier denied being associated with Mirza’s plan and termed his UK visit a coincidence.

Speaking to the media, Memon said that he went to the UK on a personal visit and he was only answerable to the party leadership. He added that Mirza’s step was his personal decision.

He said that the party had the right to investigate him and added that people should come up with evidence rather than baseless allegations.

Memon said that he had a ministry because of the PPP and was ready to give it back whenever the party asks him.

MQM boycotts parliamentary proceedings

MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi says his party has boycotted today’s parliamentary proceeding to protest against PPP’s political stance.

Speaking to the media outside the Parliament in Islamabad, Rizvi said that the MQM had stood by the PPP during hard times, but the party had different intentions.

Rizivi said the PPP had declared the man who had used abusive language against Altaf Hussain a family member. He said the PPP had assured his party that action would be taken against Mirza for comments against the MQM, but instead Gilani had declared him a family member on the floor of the house.

The MQM leader said Mirza was given security protocol similar to that of a minister because his wife was speaker of the National Assembly.

He said members of the MQM will meet Zardari to discuss the issue.

MQM coordination committee to meet in Karachi, London

The MQM coordination committee will hold simultaneous meetings in Karachi and London today.

Sources said that the situation arising from Mirza’s departure to the UK will be on top of the agenda.

The overall political situation in the country as well as the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf rally in Karachi will also come under discussion during the meeting.

PPP values its partnership with MQM: Zardari

President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday said that the partnership of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) would continue for the welfare of the people of Sindh, the country and the democratic process.

He was talking to a delegation of MQM comprising of Dr Farooq Sattar, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis, Babar Khan Ghauri, Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, and Syed Haider Abbas Rizvi at the Presidency here.

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Federal Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar and Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar were also present.

Briefing the meeting, Farhatullah Babar said Dr Farooq Sattar conveyed to the President the concerns of MQM about the statements and actions against their party by some elements associated with the PPP.

The president assured the MQM delegation that the PPP valued its partnership with the MQM and added that this partnership would continue in the future as well.

The president said Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah had also addressed a press conference this morning spelling out the party's policy and said the President of PPP Sindh had also taken disciplinary action in this regard against some elements.]]>
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			<title>MQM pushes PPP to take action against Mirza, associates</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/293202/mqm-pushes-ppp-to-take-action-against-mirza-associates</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/293202/mqm-pushes-ppp-to-take-action-against-mirza-associates#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 17 Nov 11 04:12:35 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hafeez Tunio]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=293202</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Altaf Hussain terms Mirza's allegations ‘baseless’; party leaders demand strict action against Sharjeel Inam...]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[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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			<title>National Assembly: PM promises to do all it takes to save democracy</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/293205/national-assembly-pm-promises-to-do-all-it-takes-to-save-democracy</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/293205/national-assembly-pm-promises-to-do-all-it-takes-to-save-democracy#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 17 Nov 11 01:00:05 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[qamar.zaman]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=293205</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Gilani offers opposition to come up with solutions to restructure public sector entities.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The heat is steadily rising for the government – and murmurs of conspiracy and plotting once again swirl wildly across the political landscape.


Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, however, struck a defiant note on the floor of the National Assembly on Wednesday – saying the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) could go to any extent to save democracy.

“This house and democracy should remain intact whether I hold office as prime minister or not,” the PM said while responding to a number of issues raised by Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, which included an attack on the PM himself.

In his speech, Nisar had referred to the fast rising political temperatures of the country saying “agencies which played a role during Musharraf’s regime are at work again. It is happening during your rule (PPP’s) and your own people are leaving for a revolution.”

Nisar also said that his party will intensify their protests since they have lost faith in the government saying “a democratic government or mafia is ruling the country.” The opposition leader mentioned non-implementation of parliamentary resolutions, increase in electricity tariffs, price hike of fertilizer - and no action over concerns raised by Dr Zulfiqar Mirza regarding national security as well as a number of other things.

He further said that the opposition will not come to the government’s rescue in the future. PM Gilani, in his equally strong response, mentioned achievements of the current government, including making the chief spy agency, ISI, and the army answerable to parliament for the first time in history. Gilani also mentioned the non-permanent UN Security Council seat and once again asked the opposition to lend its support to steer the country out of crisis.

“What impression will your (PML-N’s) statements of resigning from assemblies give,” PM Gilani said.

However, he appreciated Chaudhry Nisar’s commitment that his party will never let any unconstitutional force avail the opportunity to derail the system and democracy.

Gilani said that there is hardly any country in the world which does not have problems. “I invite the opposition to come up with ideas and suggestions for restructuring public sector entities like Pakistan Railways or Pakistan International Airlines; we will discuss the suggestions and adopt them.”

In a barefaced rubbishing of Nisar’s statement on the government losing public trust, Gilani said that “irrespective of multifaceted issues which we face today, we are winning by-elections because people are satisfied with our performance.”

While responding to the issue of the much talked-about secret memo allegedly sent to former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen by President Asif Ali Zardari, the PM said that the president had already issued a rebuttal.

Chaudhry Nisar said that the issue was of grave concern and the government should file a case against the Financial Times which published the article.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17th,  2011.]]>
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			<title>Zulfiqar Mirza is part of PPP family: Gilani</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/292923/zulfiqar-mirza-is-part-of-the-ppp-family-gilani</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/292923/zulfiqar-mirza-is-part-of-the-ppp-family-gilani#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 16 Nov 11 16:39:56 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=292923</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Gilani said that Mirza's case was sub judice, hence let the court decide on the matter.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani called Zulfiqar Mirza a part of the Pakistan Peoples Party family in his address to the National Assembly on Wednesday. 

Gilani said that Mirza belonged to the same party and was part of the PPP 'family' and that his difference of opinion was part of the democratic process. He added that his matter was sub judice so there was no point in discussing it and instead let the courts decide.

Speaking on the issues facing the country, Gilani said that the parliament had to resolve all prevailing issues and the government was ready to discuss all the concerns of the opposition on the floor of the house.

He added that it did not matter whether he was retained as Prime Minister or not, but it was imperative that the democratic process should prevail.

Gilani said his government had passed a record number of laws and amendments in the parliament with unanimous consensus and that the government is committed to holding free, fair and transparent elections as it is in national interest.

He also said that the government was committed to uphold all the decisions made by the All Parties Conference (APC), reiterating that the government will not do anything against the interest of the country.

Talking about Pakistan’s seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), he termed it as a big achievement.

Gilani also spoke about the army and how the democratic government had for the first time made the army accountable to the civilian leadership.]]>
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			<title>Zulfiqar Mirza to provide evidence against Altaf Hussain in House of Lords</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/292729/zulfiqar-mirza-to-provide-evidence-against-altaf-hussain-in-house-of-lords</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/292729/zulfiqar-mirza-to-provide-evidence-against-altaf-hussain-in-house-of-lords#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 16 Nov 11 13:46:58 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=292729</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA['I will tell authorities here that Britain is becoming a reason for terror in Pakistan by giving shelter to...]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Former Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza will speak in the House of Lords in London 11pm PST on Wednesday where he is expected to provide evidence to the House against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain.

Mirza contacted the Scotland Yard in London after arriving on Wednesday from Karachi via Dubai.

Talking to newsmen on arrival at Heathrow airport, Mirza said that during his address in British House of Lords, he will provide evidence to the House against Altaf Hussain regarding the murder of MQM leader Dr Imran Farooq.

"I will tell the authorities here that Britain is becoming a reason for terror in Pakistan by giving shelter to the accused," he claimed.

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon has also arrived here on the same flight with Mirza on Wednesday.

At the Karachi airport before departure, Mirza told the media that he was going away for a week and the people of Pakistan were going to hear good news regarding a breakthrough in the Imran Farooq murder case. “I have two briefcases filled with proof which will help the Scotland Yard police,” he said.

Despite warnings from President Asif Ali Zardari telling his party workers to avoid associating with Mirza, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, along with PPP MPAs Imdad Pitafi and Fayyaz Bhutt, accompanied him to the airport.

MQM expresses reservations at Mirza's presence in London

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) expressed serious reservations over ‘official protocol’ being given to Zulfiqar Mirza besides questioning Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon's presence with Mirza in London, reported Express 24/7.

MQM leader Babar Ghauri told the media outside the Parliament House on Wednesday that Mirza was seen off at Karachi airport by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) supporters.

He said that MQM wants an explanation from the PPP leadership on presence of Memon with Mirza in London on the allegations he is putting against the MQM.

Ghauri added that the MQM met Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani for a detailed discussion and the prime minister assured that an investigation will be done on the issue. A meeting with the president is also expected.

The prime minister ordered Interior Minister Rehman Malik to take action according to the law on the people who have been arrested and on display of arms, the MQM leader said.]]>
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			<title>Imran Farooq murder case: Mirza jets off to London to brief Scotland Yard</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/292569/imran-farooq-murder-case-mirza-jets-off-to-london-to-brief-scotland-yard</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/292569/imran-farooq-murder-case-mirza-jets-off-to-london-to-brief-scotland-yard#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 16 Nov 11 04:33:25 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hafeez Tunio]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=292569</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[PPP workers were also present at the airport, chanting slogans to support him.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Just before taking off for London on Tuesday night, former Sindh home minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, dropped another bombshell – he was going to brief the Scotland Yard about the murder of Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Dr Imran Farooq.


Not one to shy away from controversy, Dr Mirza told the media at the Karachi Airport that he was going away for a week and the people of Pakistan were going to hear good news regarding a breakthrough in the Imran Farooq murder case. “I have two briefcases filled with proof which will help the Scotland Yard police,” he said.

Chanting slogans to support the former Sindh home minister, workers of the Pakistan Peoples Party were also present at the airport.

Despite warnings from President Asif Ali Zardari telling his party workers to avoid associating with Mirza, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, along with PPP MPAs Imdad Pitafi and Fayyaz Bhutt, accompanied him to the airport. There were reports that Memon was also flying out with Mirza via UAE on Emirates Airline flight EK603. However, despite repeated attempts, no contact could be established with the minister, and no government or party official confirmed the news.

Some senior leaders of the PPP, including Sindh Revenue Minister Jam Mehtab Dahar, also held meetings with Mirza on Tuesday morning, sources within the party told The Express Tribune, adding that Memon and other PPP MPAs who have been supporting Mirza on the local government system were also present during those meetings.

Other than that, Awami National Party President Shahi Syed, leaders of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement and defunct Peoples Aman Committee also held separate meetings with Mirza at his residence in Karachi.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Has the PPP had enough of controversial Dr Mirza?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/291940/the-straw-that-broke-the-camel%e2%80%99s-back-has-the-ppp-had-enough-of-controversial-dr-mirza</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/291940/the-straw-that-broke-the-camel%e2%80%99s-back-has-the-ppp-had-enough-of-controversial-dr-mirza#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 14 Nov 11 21:04:55 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hafeez Tunio]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=291940</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Jails Minister sacked, all Badin PPP office bearers recommended by Mirza removed.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Despite his many fiery speeches and confrontations, it appears that it was Dr Zulfiqar Mirza’s supporters, and not his blatant accusations, which have finally pushed the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), over the edge. The government has decided to take action against Mirza while PPP office bearers appointed in Badin on his recommendations during his time as a senior minister have been removed from their posts.


“I am still a worker of the PPP and all my efforts are for strengthening the party,” Mirza was heard declaring when his supporters in Badin district clashed with those of the PPP.

The rally held on Sunday - officially a pro-Zardari march - morphed into an anti-Mirza protest and a manifestation of the growing rifts within the party. When Mirza and his men showed up to counter the chants, things turned violent and the two parties, once both on the same side under the joint banner of PPP, clashed.

On Monday, the angered PPP supporters of Badin took up their complaint with the CM and demanded that a case be lodged against Mirza. Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, who is PPP’s Sindh president, spent two hours listening to his party workers berate Mirza and finally decided that it was time to take action.

“We have lodged a complaint at the Golarchi police station against Mirza and his companions and want to register a case against them because they have tried to kill our workers by resorting to indiscriminate firing,” said Badin’s PPP MPA Nawaz Chandio.

Chandio claimed that about 5,000 people rallied at Golarchi in support of President Zardari when Mirza’s armed men stormed them. “Not only did these people resort to aerial firing, but Dr Mirza himself arrived and was encouraging the criminals to kill us,” alleged the outraged MPA.

Soon after, the CM ordered that Badin district PPP office bearers appointed on Mirza’s recommendations be suspended and new ones be appointed while policemen appointed on his orders be transferred to other districts. Meanwhile, the CM assured Chandio that action would be taken against anyone involved in violence at the Golarchi rally - including Mirza. This could mean a police FIR being registered against them.

The CM called an emergency PPP Sindh executive council meeting on Monday night in which the suspension orders were made official and new office bearers were appointed.

PPP Badin district President Dr Sikandar Mendhro, Local Government Minister Agha Siraj Durrani, Food Minister Nadir Magsi and Home Minister Manzoor Wassan were among those who attended the meeting.

Oil on troubled waters

Dr Sikander Mendhro, PPP Badin district president said that the scuffle on Sunday was the result of a “misunderstanding” between Dr Zulfiqar Mirza and Golarchi’s PPP leaders. “We will sit and resolve the issue,” he said.

Local Government Minister Agha Sirja Durrani, for his part, finally accepted that things had gone too far. He told the media that he had been “a good friend of Mirza’s, but unfortunately he [Mirza] promotes people who always want to create a rift between PPP leaders”. “We have to make some important decision regarding Dr Mirza, but it will take sometime,” he said.

The price of friendship

Prison Minister Sadiq Memon, said to be close friend of Mirza’s, has had his portfolio taken back by the government. Sadiq Memon was at the forefront of MPAs who supported Mirza on his stance on the local government issue.

Government officials claim that the decision to take back the ministry was made by President Asif Ali Zardari himself during a meeting held at Bilawal House. Law Minister Ayaz Soomro is now in charge of the prison department.

Sadiq Memon has confirmed the news but refused to comment. “My loyalty lies with my party. I will accept whatever decision is made by leadership and cannot comment on it.”

Earlier, Mirza held the prison ministry’s portfolio which was given to Sadiq Memon on August 6.

An engineer by profession, Sadiq Memon belongs to the Thatta district and contested the by-elections after the death of his brother, Jalil Memon, in a road accident.

His brother was the minister for cooperative societies and after his death, the PPP decided to give his seat to Sadiq Memon.

Government officials claim that the move has been a long time coming and anti-Mirza members of the party have been demanding his metaphorical head and that of his friends in the government. “Sadiq Memon is the first victim of friendship and changes within the party can not be ruled out,” said a senior leader of the party.

Suspensions and new appointments

Sacked:

Badin District General Secretary Kamal Chang

Badin Tehsil President Aziz Memon

Matli Tehsil General Secretary Mehbood Shah

Golarchi Teshil General Secretary Asghar Gujjar

Replacements:

Gafoor Nizamani

Sattar Memon

Gul Muhammad

Allah Dino Chandio

Handout issued by CM House

Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th,  2011.]]>
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			<title>PPP infighting: Mirza, Wassan supporters clash in Badin</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/291502/ppp-infighting-mirza-wassan-supporters-clash-in-badin</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/291502/ppp-infighting-mirza-wassan-supporters-clash-in-badin#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 14 Nov 11 04:36:18 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[z.ali]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=291502</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Both sides resorted to aerial firing as police intervened.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Making nascent signs of growing fissures within the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party’s Sindh chapter more manifest, supporters of former Sindh home minister Zulfiqar Mirza exchanged barbs with those of current Home Minister Manzoor Wassan in Badin on Sunday.

However, police contingents intervened and prevented the brawl from turning into an armed clash as people of both sides resorted to aerial firing.

The incident happened a day after President Asif Ali Zardari, who is also co-chairman of the PPP, categorically warned of stern action against ‘undisciplined’ party workers and leaders.

The tussle took place in Shaheed Fazil Rahu (Golarchi) town of Badin when supporters of Wassan, led by Allah Dino Chandio, organised a rally and were confronted by Mirza’s sympathisers. Mirza, who immediately reached the spot to assuage the heated situation, took verbal jibes at Wassan himself.

“Manzoor Wassan and some others are jealous of my popularity in Sindh,” he told reporters, declaring that he will, in retaliation, hold public meetings within Wassan’s constituency too.

Mirza said that such ‘shoddy intrigues’ cannot stop him from speaking the truth and from fighting for the right of the oppressed people. “I am fighting a war to save Sindh and Pakistan and will keep unmasking conspiracies,” he said.

He, however, dispelled the impression that a forward bloc had been created in Sindh when asked to explain the pitched battle between his and Wassan’s supporters. “I am still a worker of the PPP and all my efforts are for strengthening the party,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14th,  2011.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>PPP ministers term Zulfiqar Mirza biggest extortionist, will provide proof</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/289022/ppp-ministers-term-zulfiqar-mirza-biggest-extortionist-will-provide-proof</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/289022/ppp-ministers-term-zulfiqar-mirza-biggest-extortionist-will-provide-proof#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 11 17:09:21 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=289022</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Nisar Khuro vows to take action against Mirza for violating party discipline.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wasan chose to tackle Zulfiqar Mirza's rhetoric of Pakistan Peoples Party indulging in extortion, saying the former home minister to be the biggest extortionist of all.

Talking to media in Khairpur, Wassan said Zulfiqar Mirza's statements did not hold water as Mirza himself was a special friend to criminal elements who indulge in extortion.

Quizzed over details, Wassan said, his offensive against Mirza will not be just words, but would be backed with thorough evidence, which he shall soon reveal to the media.

Wassan further said, accusations levelled against the government and PPP leaders were not Mirza's words and that the former minister was being given directives by someone else.

(Read: Firestarter: Sacrifice animals, not Sindh says Mirza)

Meanwhile, speaker Sindh Assembly and PPP leader Nisar Khuro has said that his party will take action against Zulfiqar Mirza for violating its discipline.

Zulfiqar Mirza had earlier called on the PPP to “sacrifice animals, not Sindh” in the backdrop of marathon meetings between the MQM and ruling PPP to install the controversial local government.]]>
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			<title>Firestarter: Sacrifice animals, not Sindh says Mirza</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/288718/firestarter-sacrifice-animals-not-sindh-says-mirza</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/288718/firestarter-sacrifice-animals-not-sindh-says-mirza#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 06 Nov 11 21:05:24 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[z.ali]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Zulfiqar Mirza predicts the return of the commissionerate system.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Animals should be sacrificed during Eidul Azha, not Sindh, thundered Zulfiqar Mirza in Qasimabad on Sunday. “We will not tolerate anyone cutting the province into pieces.”

The former Sindh home minister, who has been in the news for his hard-hitting oratory, addressed a public meeting near the Nasim Nagar Bridge here in the constituency of provincial minister Zahid Bhurgari on Sunday.

As expected, he focused on the local government system in the province, which has been the subject of much wrangling between his party, the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, a coalition ally. Mirza has opposed the MQM’s demands. At the meeting, he reiterated his stance that no compromise should be or would be made as far reinstating the commissionerate system in Sindh was concerned. This is the system that the PPP favoured. “The provincial government should not delude itself by thinking that they will be able to introduce any other system,” he said. “The commissionerate system will be restored after Eid, think of it as a gift from God.”

Turning to the minister Bhurgari, Mirza continued with his criticism of party MPAs. He referred to the 300,000 arms licences he had issued during his tenure as home minister and told the crowd that nearly 50,000 of them were given to Bhurgari. But he went on to add that he had no idea if Bhurgari had “sold” or distributed them.

At one point, the PPP leader, who gave up his seat as an MPA a month ago, asked people to join his one-point agenda to eliminate the MQM. Over the microphone, he urged the people to stand up and fight for their rights, a stance that is certain to earn him some points with the Sindhi nationalist votebank. “Arm yourself with weapons, axes, sticks, knives and scissors. I will lead you,” he said. “I am prepared to kill 10,000 people for Sindh and what it stands for.” And just in case his words were misconstrued, Mirza hastened to add that Urdu-speaking people were innocent and everyone had learnt a lot from their experience. With this disclaimer, he demonstrated that he had learnt a few political lessons from an earlier speech which made him vastly unpopular with Urdu-speaking residents of the province.

Among other workers, PPP member Mirza Aashiq Beg accompanied Mirza. They also took this opportunity to declare that Khadim Baksh Jahejo should be nominated as the next district chairman.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th,  2011.]]>
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			<title>War of words: Mirza rubbishes blasphemy claim with mufti by his side</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/279972/war-of-words-mirza-rubbishes-blasphemy-claim-with-mufti-by-his-side</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/279972/war-of-words-mirza-rubbishes-blasphemy-claim-with-mufti-by-his-side#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 22 Oct 11 21:36:36 +0500</pubDate>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[The MQM’s Rauf Siddiqui had wanted to file an FIR based on the October 9 press conference.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Dr Zulfiqar Mirza shot down the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s attempts to implicate him in a blasphemy case based on his remarks at a press conference by paying a visit to influential Deobandi clerics on Saturday.


Jamia Binoria International principal Mufti Muhammad Naeem, who has issued fatwas for or against causes, addressed a joint press conference with Mirza after a ‘friendly’ meeting. After highlighting four key sticking points, Naeem asked Mirza to clarify his position in his own words.

Naeem said there was a suspicion among the ulema that Mirza had tried to compare his act of staying put in Karachi to fight political rivals with the Holy Prophet’s (pbuh) migration from Makkah to Medina. Mirza clarified that his political rival, the MQM, was twisting his words. “The truth is that I’m not even worth the dust beneath the shoe of the Holy Prophet (pbuh),” Mirza said.

The mufti brought up a certain sectarian insult which he said Mirza should refrain from using as a politician. “I only said this because such words were used for me on the floor of the National Assembly in 1995,” the Pakistan Peoples Party leader clarified.

Mufti Naeem stressed that the leading Sunni ulema were extremely concerned when Mirza said that he would bring a “Khomeini-style” revolution to the country with Iran’s reference. Mirza explained that the only reason he used that example was because the only successful revolution in his lifetime and in recent Muslim history was the one brought by Khomeini. “If any other revolution comes up and is better than this, I will refer to that as well,” he said, stressing that it had nothing to do with sect.

In the end, Naeem urged Mirza and all other political leaders to stop using the Holy Quran for political purposes. He was referring to Mirza’s oath-taking during a press conference. “It is a sacred book and if it is used in a political playground, people would stop taking it as something sacred, but as a joke.”

During the press conference, Mirza expressed his gratitude to the clerics and described their suggestions as wise and sound. In a lighter vein, he said that although Mufti Naeem had expressed the hope that he too would one day convert to the Sunni sect from his current Shia sect, “it would be a tough contest”. “You try your best to make me a Sunni and I’ll try my best to make you a Shia,” he quipped.

Earlier in the day at the additional district and sessions court, Judge Mohammad Azeem directed the MQM’s Rauf Siddiqui to himself go to the Kalakot police station and file a First Information Report against Mirza for his alleged blasphemous remarks. Kalakot SHO Chand Khan Niazi was instructed to record Siddiqui’s statement and determine whether the accusations made against Mirza were cognisant of an offence. The SHO had stated before the court that in the press conference that was held on October 9 within the jurisdiction of his police station he had found nothing objectionable. Nonetheless, the judge directed the official to record the statement.

However, soon after the court’s directive was issued, hundreds of people in Lyari, including scores of women armed with eggs and tomatoes gathered around the Kalakot police station in anticipation of the MQM leader’s arrival. They chanted slogans against the party and Rauf Siddiqui and in favour of Mirza.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23rd, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Zulfiqar Mirza unplugged: The fallen archangel</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/278739/zulfiqar-mirza-unplugged-the-fallen-archangel</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/278739/zulfiqar-mirza-unplugged-the-fallen-archangel#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 21 Oct 11 01:02:00 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[gibran.peshimam]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=278739</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Mirza polarises opinions like no other – you either love him or hate him.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Hurt is not a word associated with Zulfiqar Mirza – unless of course he is the one inflicting it.


Yet, off camera, the firebrand known for his cutting comments and scorching speeches is betrayed by his own voice and words.

Long regarded as President Asif Ali Zardari’s closest friend – a relationship that dates back over four decades to Cadet College Petaro – Mirza finds himself a controversial figure within his own party, a man whose belligerence has made him the polar opposite of his friend, the pacifist.

The effort to emphasise their strong friendship aside, Mirza finally admits, when pressed, that there is a level of resentment he now carries towards the president. “That’s why I am not with him now. Difference of opinion. I think in a different way,” he says. “He wants to sit with murderers, criminals, rapists, dacoits,” says Mirza with a touch of disappointment, adding that, “[these elements] want to break Pakistan.”

(Read: ‘Bad cop’ or double-edged sword?)

Initially, there were rumours that Mirza’s recent offensive against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and some top PPP leaders was actually held at the behest of the president – a sort of good-cop-bad-cop strategy.

The fallen archangel

But the events of the last few days suggest otherwise. Public criticism by his former friends and, more importantly, intense intra-PPP friction has made this a game too dangerous to be played out of strategy or choice.

(Read: Friction within the PPP)

Independent media accounts place Mirza’s open support within the PPP at 18 MPAs and 6 ministers. But Mirza says, confidently, that “these are just the ones who have been exposed.”

The PPP’s top leadership in Sindh has clearly been undermined by Mirza’s popularity inside the party’s ranks – which pushed the frantic leaders to try and cut the former home minister out of the scene completely. And he knows it.

“They are saying don’t meet me (Mirza). Openly in a meeting, Siraj Durrani shouted it, Pir Mazhar said it and the chief minister also said it. The CM’s staff is openly calling MPAs and threatening them [not to meet me]. Lady MPAs have been called over and over by Adi Faryal (Faryal Talpur, the president’s sister), and her messages were being delivered, that you [the MPAs] have been called.”

Though the leaders have clearly failed, the attempt has clearly hurt Mirza. Despite knowing that his stand is contrary to his party’s line, he seems almost surprised at the move.

For the first, and only, time in the interview Mirza is a bit ruffled.

“We can sit with Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, we can hug him. And MQM also, who are the killers of many of our brothers. With them we are ready to sit … but [not] Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, who didn’t let a scratch come to Shaheed Rani [Benazir Bhutto] even in two bomb blasts; who got her safe and sound to Bilawal House, and then, alone, on the request of Bibi, after the bomb blasts took her to visit [the wounded and dead] in the hospitals; who took her to Lyari, and after that, at 3 am, took her for pilgrimage to Sehwan Sharif … all by himself.” He goes silent.

“He, who Bibi had so much trust in, President Asif Ali Zardari had so much trust in … today, this is what I have become – an untouchable? Someone who meeting and eating with has become a sin?”

The hurt and surprise is short-lived though. “They need to realize that they are not sitting with Dr Zulfiqar… they are sitting with their motherland Sindh and for her sake.”

He is confident though that this deliberate isolation does not have the president’s sanction.

“The president called for some people… and he said to them they [who are stopping people from meeting Mirza] are not acting on my behalf, they are trying to be more loyal than the King.”

It is surprising that Mirza is surprised, given his barefaced criticism of his party’s hierarchy – in particular Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah.

“You talk about the CM Sindh. The tragedy is that it has always been like this. In his previous tenure in ‘88, even then things were like this. PSF students used to get up on their tables and ridicule him. Then too he was PPP president (Sindh) and CM.

“It is for this reason – that one CM is not working out – that they have given a CM to his left, right, in front and behind. He is surrounded by four CMs. Some are elected, some are unelected. But they are acting like CMs.”

His advice to the veteran politician from Khairpur: “He should go home. It is high time. His own people need him.”

Rumours have long circulated that the Sindh CM will be changed – the two names making rounds as possible candidates are Agha Siraj Durrani and Pir Mazharul Haq. What does Mirza think?

“Over my dead body. I should go to the grave first, then they can become chief minister.”

He is careful, however, when it comes to naming who he thinks would make a good chief minister. “If I take the name of a genuine person, his future will be ruined.”

And if Dr Mirza is ever requested by President Zardari to take over as chief minister?

“I would refuse. I am not purchasable, or for sale.”

Chief ministership aside, Dr Mirza has developed a cult-like following not only in his party, but among other parties, and, most importantly, among the masses.

(Read: The genie is out)

Like him or not, Mirza could be described as one of the most influential politicians in the country at the moment. Unlike other PPP ‘dissenters’ that faded into obscurity, such as Naheed Khan, Safdar Abbasi and most recently Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Mirza wields a lot of clout, even in the assemblies. All attempts to sideline him have failed.

The local government bill that restores a Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) favoured system, which is ardently opposed by Dr Mirza, is now set to be rejected by the Sindh legislature. Contrary to public image, Dr Zulfiqar Mirza is humble about this.

(Read: Limits to reconciliation - Zulfiqar Mirza dares PPP to pass bill pleasing MQM in assembly)

“People are stuck in euphoria … Actually it is not me. It is the issue. [It is] a genuine issue of Sindh, at least. And the honour of Sindh and Sindhis … whether they are Urdu-speaking, Punjabi-speaking, Pashtu-speaking or Balochi-speaking.

“This is not Zulfiqar Mirza. The only credit to me is that I have awakened them. I threw light on the issues. I stirred them slightly and I woke them up. That’s all I did. And I did this by doing the smallest, and easiest thing … which is, to tell the truth. To lie, you have to tell 36 more lies. So I said a small truth. The thing that can be done with minimal effort. I just woke them up slightly, those who dream, like Manzoor Wassan – but it is unfortunate that he is [still] in a deep sleep.”

(Read: US ready to help improve Karachi situation: Wassan)

The rejection of the MQM-favoured local government system, however, is not the main issue for Mirza.

“I have other reasons. Not just the bill. If it lapses and it comes back in original form, which we had passed, my war doesn’t end there,” he emphasises.

“That will be my first moral victory. My actual fight is for and my aim is to get rid of the MQM as soon as possible.”

Mirza’s initial fame undoubtedly owes to his verbal onslaughts against the MQM. His open criticism of the party and direct attacks against MQM chief Altaf Hussain are unprecedented. Even the staunchest opponents of a party that has long been considered to use violence as a political tool have not openly said the things Mirza has – for fear of repercussions, or otherwise.

But there are no half-measures with Mirza.

In contrast to his public and television appearances, Mirza’s criticism of the party, in person, is studied, analytical and rationalised. His words transcend mere impulsive remarks he has become famous for.

Firstly, he is dead set on the fact that MQM is the cause of political violence in the city. And the notion that ‘target killings’ are a recent phenomenon is rubbished by him.

“If you analyse this term, it is ‘political killings’. Otherwise, every killing is a target killing. God forbid, if I want to kill you, I have to target you. Except people who die from dengue, malaria etc,” says Mirza with a smirk.

(Read: Plan A or plan banana?)

“Otherwise, murdering someone with a gun, with a knife, with a sword, with a hatchet, is target killing,” says Mirza, living up to his reputation of being able to make anyone uneasy.

“Target killing was always there, especially since the MQM came into existence. In 1984-85, it increased,” holds Mirza. “There are many factors,” he admits, but adds emphatically that “the major factor behind such mass killings is the MQM.”

The doctor in him then comes to the surface as he moves to deftly and mercilessly dissect the psychology of the party – like a sociologist as opposed to the fiery political orator.

“Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s existence, politically, in Karachi and controlling Karachi’s affairs … they control everything, even their own party, through the barrel of a gun.

“I am saying this because, look, their party’s chairman, Azeem Tariq, was murdered. After his murder, the MQM has been in power a few times, and every time they have shared power they have overwhelmed the majority (ruling) party. Not as underdogs. They have had home ministers. I want to ask: how much was Azeem Tariq’s murder investigated? Were the statements of his wife and children even recorded? If not, then it means that they are not interested. And why is one not interested? Because one knows when they take interest, the case may lead back to them.

“It is not hidden from anyone that Azeem Tariq and Altaf Hussain had their differences. Similarly, they have many good people in their ranks, who, due to difference of opinion – there is difference of opinion everywhere, at home, between brothers and sisters, parents, even in parties. In political parties, different people of different mindsets sit together; there should be a difference of opinion. Every person should be thinking independently and democracy’s basic essence is this.

“But those leaders who have had a difference of opinion [in the MQM], including the ex speaker of the Sindh Assembly Raziq Khan, their transport minister Badar Iqbal – there are many names, – whoever left the party was murdered.

“When a Peoples Party member leaves, why aren’t they murdered? An ANP member leaves … Ajmal Khan was a big leader, he left; he wasn’t murdered by the ANP. Mumtaz Bhutto left Peoples Party, he is alive. Hafeez Pirzada left, Jatoi sb left, lots of people leave. Even now, you can see lots of people hold a different opinion … [but] they are just ignored or sidelined by a party maybe. They aren’t killed.

“So they [MQM] blackmail their own party members and through the barrel of the gun control them. Many straight people come into their trap. They cannot leave of their own free will. It is apparent from this what the nature of their politics is. MQM’s style is: Whoever doesn’t listen, he will go to Khamoshnagar (silent area)… by that I mean the graveyard.

“I can give several examples. I have written a thesis on them. I mean, it is not admissible in any university or anything,” chuckles Mirza.

The conversation takes a bit of a detour here with the mention of theses and degrees. Maybe he could get an honorary degree, ala Interior Minister Rehman Malik, he is told, tongue-in-cheek.

He pauses, and his face wears a look of disgust.

“Disgrace. Pakistan has been disgraced internationally by giving a person like Rehman Malik an honorary doctorate. Those who have put in so much hard work to get a degree or a doctorate from there, they must be crying in their hearts. And I share their grief. Anyway, we’re drifting…”

Back to the MQM.

“So this is their style. There are studies. There was one in a university in Texas. They interviewed people who are in self exile who have told how [the MQM] first studies a person. They pick a person from a broken home … where the father or the breadwinner has died or there is no food at home. These people are picked and indoctrinated that ‘our community is being wronged, that we are a deprived nation. Punjabis are eating our share, Sindhis are eating our share…’

“They pick such people from the Urdu-speaking community and then motivate them. Then that person is made to commit a crime. Once he has murdered, he has no one else. Only the party protects them. The person is blackmailed.

“There was one guy who was interviewed whose final murder was that of a policeman’s pregnant wife. This woman’s head was cut off and put in the refrigerator in that house. So that her husband and other policemen get the message. This is their way.

“There are many stories. Torture cells, people being drilled with drill machines. We have visited our people in hospital during Bibi’s time. There was one young person admitted in Aga Khan Hospital, he was a PSF student, an aggressive type. He was picked up. A steel pipe was stuck in his urethra, and through that pipe they poured concentrated sulphuric acid. His entire urethra was damaged. A young guy from Gilgit. His only crime was that he was against the MQM, or pro-PPP.

“There are several cases of drilled bodies. Just imagine, a person who is alive, a drill penetrating him. It is better to just kill him. They are not human beings.”

Mirza’s assault is not frenzied. It is almost frighteningly calculated and analytical.

But what of the MQM and its chief’s obvious support base in Karachi?

“That’s why I say, his mandate is 50% of what he gets. 50% is through stamping, through the barrel of the gun.”

But even 50% of that mandate is still pretty big in a city such as Karachi...

“They [the rest of the 50%] have been hypnotised. He is a performer. They have fallen for his drama… poor people, innocent people. There are many uneducated among them. But the tragedy is that many of them are indeed educated. They get stuck in a vicious cycle. They can’t get out.

“He has a gang. It is a mafia,” he says matter-of-factly.

“Even in a country like America, there were mafias, there are mafias. What was Don Corleone? He had a following too. Mafia chiefs were then even elected. This happens everywhere in the world. Unfortunately, this is the reality.”

Mirza speaks of a need to treat “criminals like criminals” – a crackdown, effectively. But he is then reminded of previous operations against the MQM, after which the party emerged stronger politically and otherwise.

“You never succeed in war or love halfheartedly,” he responds. So he believes the 1992 operation was halfhearted? “There were wheels within wheels,” he says cryptically.

Mirza is then asked of the fears that many hold that a crackdown against the party, or not taking them on board, would have consequences…

“…what repercussions!?” he interrupts, “They have no street power! They begged everybody, when they gave me an ultimatum: ‘Leave Karachi in 48 hours’. When I used those derogatory words at Shahi Syed’s place, the next day they gave me an ultimatum – leave or we will gather 50,000 people. They could not gather more than 2,000 boys.”

“I can prove that they are working against Pakistan, Rehman Malik and co and MQM…”

And co?

“You know … Dr Babar Awan … the darling of the Pakistan nation. These two darlings,” he says mockingly.

Still, whatever the reasons, his long-time friend, President Zardari insists on keeping the MQM and ‘Rehman Malik and Co.’ on board despite Mirza’s assertions.

“The president is my best buddy, and I am his best buddy,” he still insists. However, when asked when the last time they spoke was, he stops to calculate.

“25-30 days.”

But you’re still best friends? “Yes. Absolutely,” he responds without blinking.

“We speak through our hearts,” he says, smirking, almost as if he doesn’t know what else to say when asked why “best buddies” wouldn’t speak to each other for such a long time.

“I have a lifetime commitment to that family, you understand?” he explains.

“And I am committed to ‘others’ [referring possibly to PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari] doubly because I was committed to Asif from before and he to me. And when he married Bibi, for Bibi we were, and are, ready to sacrifice our homes, our children,” he says with a touch of emotion creeping into his voice.

But you won’t contact him? “I’m not going to call,” he says stubbornly, “He’s most welcome to call me. I respect him, he is my brother.”

What would it take for him to contact the president, he is asked – perhaps the government’s stepping away from the MQM?

“I will go and congratulate him,” his eyes lighten up, “I will garland him.” But, he adds: “I doubt he will do that. Khair… I don’t know. Because I know he can also hold on to such an attitude.”

Mirza says he is still “100 per cent” about his decision to quit “electoral politics”. But given his rise to prominence, it doesn’t look like he needs to return to wield power.

Clearly, in person, there is a lot more to Mirza than the furious man seen on television delivering charged speeches. Wearing a blue polo shirt, and blue suede shoes – as opposed to the traditional shalwar kameez or suit he is generally seen in – he looks different sitting in his meticulously done living room in his Khayaban-e-Shaheen home in Karachi. The room is done up in a tasteful gold/bronze theme with tinge of maroon.

The pictures on display seem purposeful. One table has a picture of him with President Asif Ali Zardari and Benazir Bhutto. Besides that there is a black and white picture of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah delivering a speech. On another table, there is a picture of just Benazir Bhutto. Other tables, further away, have family pictures.

The lead up to his rise to political fame has been hard-earned, including a 12-year disappearing act due to a number of cases against him pursued first by the infamous Saifur Rehman commission of Nawaz Sharif’s second government and then by the provincial government of chief minister Ghulam Arbab Rahim.

“I saw the best parts of our country in these years,” he recalls. “I used to visit my area – sometimes on donkey cart, sometimes on bull cart, sometimes on bike to attend funerals. I was in touch with my people.”

It was however difficult on the man.

“When I left my house, my youngest son (Hassam) was three years of age. He was very attached to me, he used to sleep on my chest. For quite some time after my disappearance, he could not sleep,” says Mirza.

“Daily, when I went to bed, I always used to think I might not get up tomorrow morning. When I used to sleep, I only used to see the hangman’s noose.”

“Those 12 years I was all by myself, All alone. The most lonely person.”

(Read: Man on fire)

But he bounced back. “God is great,” he exclaims, with a satisfied grin on his face.

Despite the hardships and controversy, Mirza finds time for his passions – vintage cars and guns. In his driveway is a red 1939 Morris which he insists is not the best of his collection. It is there so that he can work on it a bit. “She needs some replacements.”

“I am a low profile, poor car collector and a gun collector. These two things are my passion,” he says.

“I have about 50 plus classics,” he declares proudly, growing prouder still when mentioning his favourite: a vintage Armstrong Siddeley, which used to belong to the Nawab of Bhawalpur.

“I also enjoy altering cars myself,” adds Mirza. “I dissected a CJ-7 from a 2-door to a 4-door and made it broader from the front. It looks like a hummer but is faster than a hummer. The chassis, gear everything is of a land cruiser. “And I’ve stretched a Pontiac to make it a limo.”

His nature changes when the topic is off politics. At one point, he jokingly tells the interviewer that they should eat cake, because they “can afford to eat it.”

Other topics are also discussed, and for a moment one forgets where they are and whom they are speaking to. He could be any other man. But he isn’t. He’s Dr Zulfiqar Mirza – a man on a mission that would make even the bravest shudder.

Read Dr Zulfiqar Mirza's profile here.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21st, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Who is Dr Zulfiqar Mirza?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/278742/the-fallen-archangel</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/278742/the-fallen-archangel#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 21 Oct 11 01:00:26 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[gibran.peshimam]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=278742</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Having developed a cult-like following across Pakistan, the doctor has shown that he does more than just ignite sparks]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Born in Hyderabad on 12 January, 1954, Dr Zulfiqar Mirza holds an MBBS from Liaquat Medical College Jamshoro.

He admits that he bounced around schools, which included Cadet College Petaro, Muslim College Hyderabad and Cantt College Hyderabad.

Mirza was active politically with the PPP from his student days. He was elected the vice president of his college union on the PPP platform. He recalls that, back then, there were no actual units of the Peoples Student Federation.

After graduating with an MBBS in 1980, he joined the Pakistan Army medical corps as a captain. Then, after training from Kakul, Mirza was was posted to the Pakistan Navy.

Mirza is no stranger to controversy and has been landing up in trouble for his strong stands since those days.

He was “thrown out” of the armed forces in 1985 – the year of Gen. Ziaul Haq’s referendum, because he refused to vote.

In the middle of his stint in the services, Mirza got married – a time which he refers dotingly to as “the best part of my life” – in 1982. He would go on to have four children, two sons and two daughters.

He then joined Pakistan International Airlines, where he worked till 1989.

In 1989, Mirza opened up a sugar mill in Badin, during Benazir’s first government. Therein after, Mirza became actively involved in “real” politics.

He first applied for a PPP ticket in 1993, which he contested from Badin – and won a seat to the National Assembly.

He was parliamentary secretary commerce, director of the Pakistan medical and dental council, a member of the International medical parliamentarians association, a member of the then accountability committee, a member of the Kashmir committee as well as a member of the overseas foundation.

Despite his activeness, or perhaps due to it, Mirza would not see the inside of the assemblies till 2008.

He went underground in Pakistan for 12 years due to a number of cases against him. He spent time in different areas of Pakistan, including areas of Punjab and what is now referred to as Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

But his wife, Fehmida Mirza, who is currently speaker of the National Assembly, took over from him and won the Badin NA seat in 1997 – the year the PPP won only 17 seats – in 2002 and then in 2008.

Because of her success, Mirza opted to contest for Badin’s provincial assembly seat in 2008, and was made home minister of the province.]]>
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			<title>Zardari planted Mirza, alleges Marvi Memon</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/276995/zardari-planted-mirza-alleges-marvi-memon</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/276995/zardari-planted-mirza-alleges-marvi-memon#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 18 Oct 11 21:22:28 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sarfaraz.memon]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=276995</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Criticises multiparty summit and alleges that all the parties have their share in the loot and plunder.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Former provincial home minister, Zulfiqar Mirza, is playing the role of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) “B” team, remarked former MNA Marvi Memon. After the party lost credibility, President Zardari planted him to repair the damage, she said.

Memon’s criticism came at a press conference at the Sukkur Press Club on Monday night.

She went over the usual rhetoric of Pakistan passing through a crucial phase which is why all politicians should play a positive role. She criticised the all parties conference, saying that all the parties that attend such conferences just do it to get their share of the loot and plunder.

Her solution was to hold a roundtable conference for “sincere” politicians. She said that Pakistan’s youth should also be included because they have the potential to pull the country out of the “present crisis”. Replying to a question about launching her own party, she said that it was too early. “I am contacting like-minded and sincere people who want to work for Pakistan and not for their own interests.”

While commenting on the unrest in Karachi, Memon said that the extortion mafia was at war because some of them were getting less of the share.

Memon also announced that like last year, she will stage a sit-in at the line of control in Azad Kashmir on October 27, to tell the world about the massive human rights violations by the Indian army.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Allegations: Malik refused to probe Oct 18 incident says Mirza</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/275856/malik-creating-hurdles-in-karsaz-blast-investigation-mirza</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/275856/malik-creating-hurdles-in-karsaz-blast-investigation-mirza#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 17 Oct 11 13:39:18 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=275856</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Former minister says street lights in Karachi were deliberately shut off on the night of the attack on Benazir Bhutto.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Former Sindh home minister Zulfiqar Mirza said on Monday that he had wanted to investigate the October 18 attack but federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik had “misguided” President Asif Zardari and stopped him.

Talking to the media at his house, Mirza said that when he insisted Malik had said, “The October 18 investigation will create problems for us. Let us investigate December 27 before jumping into the October 18 incidents, otherwise we would not be able to expose the real culprits involved in BB’s assassination.”

He said that some people allegedly involved in switching off the lights on Sharae Faisal were arrested but later released.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Friction within the PPP</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/275282/friction-within-the-ppp</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/275282/friction-within-the-ppp#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 16 Oct 11 18:18:47 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=275282</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Tensions within PPP because of Dr Zulfiqar Mirza have begin to reach a rather dangerous point.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Tensions within Sindh’s leading party PPP that had been escalating over some weeks, chiefly as a consequence of the actions of former provincial home minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, have begun to reach a rather dangerous point. Under pressure from pro-Mirza members of the party, the Sindh leadership has reportedly agreed that the local bodies system initiated by the Pervez Musharraf government in 2001 will be abandoned and the previous one before it, dating back to legislation in 1979 will be restored. The 2001 system had recently been revived through a controversial ordinance, moved essentially to mollify the MQM.

The fact that the Mirza camp has succeeded in having this decision overturned at a high-level meeting held in Karachi, signals many things. For starters, it marks a divide within the PPP itself. Attempts by mediators sent by President Asif Ali Zardari to tackle the situation did not really work and one dissenting element needed to be pacified. Further, how will the MQM respond, if the 1979 local bodies law is in fact brought back? Are we to see yet another rift between the coalition partners who have already broken up and rejoined hands multiple times?

The situation is quite obviously a highly unstable one. It is not what Sindh needs. Nor is it good for our democracy as a whole. Too many fractures which occur at one time are difficult to heal. The assurances given by the PPP parliamentary party to dissenters backing Mirza may have some temporary impact in holding things together. But in the longer term, problems are almost certain to arise. Things are beginning to tumble out of control, rather like a house of cards. It is now obvious that Mirza still commands considerable influence within the PPP, even after his resignation as home minister and from his party post. How things will be handled now is difficult to predict. But in Sindh, the party’s base, the omens are not good and it is hard to see how solutions will be chalked out by the trouble-shooters sent in by the top leadership to try and tackle affairs.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 17th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>By-polls: ECP announces schedule for Mirza's former constituency</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/275339/ecp-announces-election-schedule-for-mirzas-constituency-ps-57-badin</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/275339/ecp-announces-election-schedule-for-mirzas-constituency-ps-57-badin#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 16 Oct 11 16:02:14 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=275339</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[ECP said that the by-election in PS-57 Badin would be held on December 12.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced a schedule for by-elections in Sindh constituency PS-57 Badin, Express 24/7 reported on Sunday. 

The ECP said that the by-election in the constituency would be held on December 12.

According to the ECP, interested candidates can submit their nomination papers on October 26 and 27, while the last date for withdrawal of names is November 17.

The constituency was left vacant after the resignation of PPP leader and former home minister Zulfiqar Mirza.

Mirza tendered his resignation during a fiery press conference in Karachi on August 28 from the posts of senior vice-president of the party, member provincial assembly (MPA), member Central Executive Committee (CEC), minister for works and services and senior minister.

On September 7 this year, the Governor of Sindh Dr Ishratul Ebad accepted Mirza’s resignation as Sindh’s senior minister and minister for works and services.]]>
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			<title>PPP should part ways with MQM: Mirza</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/275178/ppp-should-part-ways-with-mqm-mirza</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/275178/ppp-should-part-ways-with-mqm-mirza#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 16 Oct 11 07:55:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=275178</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Former senior minister says only President Zardari is capable of distancing from MQM.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and former Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza said on Saturday that the PPP must distance itself from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), reported Express 24/7.

Mirza was speaking to the media after attending a dinner organised by PPP Provincial Assembly member Ghulam Muhammad where he said that only President Asif Ali Zardari is capable of parting ways with the MQM.

He also said that the bill on new local bodies system will not be presented in the Sindh Assembly, as former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was dissatisfied with the system.

He added that the PPP will suffer if it deprives the masses of their due rights.

Earlier, Mirza lashed out against the MQM alleging that the president had informed him that the party was plotting to kill his son.

The former minister has been continuously criticising MQM and its stance on the local bodies system since the past few months. However, the PPP leadership is coming to an agreement with the MQM on the local bodies issue which has been a reason for the party's dissatisfaction with Mirza.

Mirza tendered his resignation during a fiery press conference in Karachi on August 28 from the posts of senior vice-president of the party, member provincial assembly (MPA), member Central Executive Committee (CEC), minister for works and services and senior minister.

On September 7 this year, the Governor of Sindh Dr Ishratul Ebad accepted Mirza’s resignation as Sindh’s senior minister and minister for works and services.]]>
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			<title>MQM planning to kill my son: Zulfiqar Mirza</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/274543/mqm-planning-to-kill-my-son-zulfiqar-mirza</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/274543/mqm-planning-to-kill-my-son-zulfiqar-mirza#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 15 Oct 11 04:20:50 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=274543</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Former minister says the president informed him of conspiracies against his family.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Former Sindh home minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza said on Friday that President Asif Ali Zardari informed him of plots to kill his son, Hasnain Mirza, and himself in a telephonic conversation.


“President Asif Ali Zardari phoned me and said MQM is planning to kill my son Hasnain Mirza and Sindh local government minister  Agha Siraj Durrani while federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik is hatching a conspiracy to kill me,” Mirza told a Sindh TV channel (KTN) on Friday.

Mirza said the president called him a day before he had addressed a press conference at the Karachi Press Club and was shocked to know that his own friends were planning to kill him.

“The president also asked me to avoid meeting these people,” he said.

The home minister went on to say that he would never consider rejoining the party until Rehman Malik was relinquished of his duties and the government broke their alliance with the MQM.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2011. ]]>
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			<title>Sons of the soil: Young PPP blood fighting party policy but perhaps therein lies their loyalty</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/274191/sons-of-the-soil-young-ppp-blood-fighting-party-policy-but-perhaps-therein-lies-their-loyalty</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/274191/sons-of-the-soil-young-ppp-blood-fighting-party-policy-but-perhaps-therein-lies-their-loyalty#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 14 Oct 11 21:14:52 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hafeez Tunio]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=274191</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The men backing Mirza are from PPP-faithful families, so how should their dissent be seen?]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Who are the party members who have planted themselves squarely behind Zulfiqar Mirza to draw the ire of the chief minister? As it turns out, they are not lightweights - their fathers were founding members of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Imran Zafar Leghari, Fayaz Butt, Javed Shah, Imdad Pitafi and Dr Sikandar Shoro not only come from families that have been long associated with the party, but they are educated young men to boot. Perhaps therein lies the trouble.

The next generation draws the plough over the bones of the dead, as the saying goes. And Sindh’s politics may very well be witnessing an imperceptible and fleeting but rare shift in thinking. These young men are different because their fathers never opposed any party policy. Today this huddle of MPAs are defying it and are being hauled up on why they are consorting with Mirza at a time when it is being forbidden. Mirza’s political statements against a coalition partner have already put him out in the cold. Their departure from blindly following a tradition of acquiescing, even though it is landing them in trouble, is what makes them different.

They argue that they are working on the principle that they don’t want to compromise on the interests of Sindh. “We are supporting Zulfiqar Mirza because he is following the manifesto of our party,” said Javed Shah, commonly known as Javed Mosvi. “We have to go back to our constituency for votes where people are against the SLGO 2001 and support the commissionerate system.”

The next election would be on his mind. This is his second term as an MPA. He is a landlord by profession and chairs the standing committee of the Sindh Assembly on Excise and Taxation. Shah has the street cred too. He began his political career from the PPP’s student wing in Rohri and went on to lead it in Sukkur district. He’s even been to jail.

These young men may have done their part for the party but they are also aware of what the party has done for them. One of them is Dadu MPA Fayaz Butt, an agricultural engineer and a law graduate from a land-owning family of Mehar taluka. “I cannot forget the moment when BB nominated me for membership of the Sindh Council of the party before her assassination,” he recalled. He won the last elections by defeating the most influential man of the area, Sadaqat Ali Jatoi, a former senator, MPA and brother of Liaquat Jatoi, former chief minister of Sindh.

Fayaz also cut his teeth at the PPP student wing and his father Munwar Ali Butt was also a founding member. Today Fayaz Butt is backing Mirza despite the fact that he is said to be close to the chief minister, Qaim Ali Shah, who as the chief of the party in Sindh, persuaded Benazir Bhutto to allot him an MPA ticket. “Mirza is a diehard worker and we are really impressed by him,” he explained. “He is still a member of the central executive committee and we follow him on his stand against SLGO 2001, which is a blot on the face of democracy.” Fayaz claimed that more than 25 PPP MPAs were with Mirza and the number would go up.

Another MPA who was served notice is 37-year-old Sindh University graduate Imdad Pitafi of Tando Allahyar, a landlord by profession whose father-in-law and uncle Manzoor Ali Pitafi is one of PPP founding members. “We are not causing any harm to our party policy, but we are echoing the wishes of our leaders Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto,” he said, adding that he would continue to oppose the 2001 local government system. “I assure you that the government cannot pass this bill because all PPP MPAs and those belonging to Awami National Party, National Peoples Party and PML-F will vote against it.”

Imdad too is well aware that it was Benazir Bhutto’s largesse that allowed the elder Pitafi to stand because he was not a graduate.

Also indebted to the PPP is Hertfordshire University graduate Imran Zafar Leghari of Dadu, who is one of the dissenting MPAs who recently accompanied Mirza on a meeting with PML-F leader Pir Pagara. Leghari’s family has a long association with the PPP and his father Haji Zafar Leghari is one of its founding members.

His father Zafar Leghari was president of the Dadu district council and was later elected an MNA and joined the first cabinet of Benazir Bhutto as a federal minister for railways. Later, the PPP made him a member of the party’s Central Executive Committee. In 1993, he contested the provincial assembly elections and joined the cabinet of then chief minister Abdullah Shah as minister for irrigation and was later appointed as minister for communication in the same cabinet. After that he was elected senior vice-president of PPP Sindh and is now a member of federal council of the party.

“When I was in primary school we used to visit our father who was in Hyderabad jail,” he said. “My father spent most of his life in different jails during the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy in the 1980s. As children, we were worried and used to ask our mother why our father was always in jail. But now we have realised the sacrifices rendered by our family for the party.”

These links perhaps signify more loyalty and not less when these very men disagree with party policy. In fact, Leghari refuted the impression that they were making any forward bloc. They were just supporting Mirza on his stand against “the politics of blackmail”.

It is likely that these MPAs will continue to meet Mirza, as has Kotri MPA Dr Sikandar Shoro. This MBBS graduate from Jamshoro comes from a family from which his grandfather Muhammad Siddique Shoro was elected four times. After he retired, his son Ghulam Nabi alias Preen Shoro stepped up, prompting the PPP to allot him before passing away in 206. The party then turned to his nephew Dr Sikander. He went on to defeat Sindhi nationalist leader and former deputy speaker Jalal Mehmood Shah. The question is now whether they will win this battle with their party. But if their words are anything to go by, they aren’t interested in fighting, unless it’s the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Zulfiqar Mirza will always be a part of PPP: Sharjeel Memon</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/274089/zulfiqar-mirza-will-always-be-a-part-of-ppp-sharjeel-memon</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/274089/zulfiqar-mirza-will-always-be-a-part-of-ppp-sharjeel-memon#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 14 Oct 11 18:08:33 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=274089</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Memon said all PPP members are united under the leadership of President Zardari and trust his leadership.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said on Friday that Zulfiqar Mirza will always be a part of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and everyone in the party trusts the leadership of Asif Ali Zardari.

Speaking to the media at the Karachi Airport, he said all PPP members are united under the leadership of President Zardari and those who talk about a forward bloc in PPP are unaware of the realities.

Memon slammed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif for his dream of dissolving the Government.

He said Nawaz Sharif should wait for his turn as PPP will complete its term.

Earlier it was reported that Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah was angry with a few ministers of his cabinet. They included Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Minister for Excise and Taxation Mukesh Kumar Chawla and Minister for Jails Sadiq Ali Memon.

Sharjeel Inam Memon and Sadiq Memon were said to have explained their positions but Mukesh Chawla kept silent.

“Mirza is our best friend and we had no political agenda when we met him,” Sharjeel Inam Memon is reported to have said to the CM. “It was a personal meeting and we cannot give up our relations with him because he is so kind to us.”

According to sources, Pir Mazharul Haq had retorted that Mirza has always created problems for the party and his meetings with PPP ministers and party members gave the impression that he was creating a forward bloc.

(Read: Meeting Mirza: As CM reprimands cabinet members, some offer to leave)

Mirza refuses to play nice

With a meeting of Sindh PPP parliamentarians underway at the CM House, a troupe of 24 MNAs and MPAs made their way to the DHA residence of Zulfiqar Mirza in order to persuade him to join the crucial meeting.

However, the former MPA resisted their overtures and refused to accompany them to the meeting.]]>
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			<title>Meeting Mirza: As CM reprimands cabinet members, some offer to leave</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/273657/meeting-mirza-as-cm-reprimands-cabinet-members-some-offer-to-leave</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/273657/meeting-mirza-as-cm-reprimands-cabinet-members-some-offer-to-leave#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 13 Oct 11 21:00:45 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hafeez Tunio]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=273657</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[President summons ministers, agreement on local govt must be made before Nov 6.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah threatened on Thursday to take action against dissenting ministers of his party who have been asked to explain why they have been meeting former Sindh home minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza.


“We have no choice but to take action against ministers and members of the party who violate party discipline,” said Shah while chairing a cabinet meeting of the Pakistan Peoples Party ministers at CM House.

Sources privy to the meeting told The Express Tribune that Shah, who runs the PPP in Sindh, was angry with a few ministers of his cabinet. They included Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Minister for Excise and Taxation Mukesh Kumar Chawla and Minister for Jails Sadiq Ali Memon.

The meeting was convened to discuss the upcoming local government system and parleys between PPP ministers and their former colleague Dr Mirza, whose resignation as an MPA was accepted this week. During the meeting not only the CM, but also other members of the cabinet, including the PPP parliamentary leader Pir Mazhar-ul Haq, Local Government Minister Agha Siraj Durrani, who is one of Mirza’s close friends, also criticised the errant PPP members as well as Mirza.

Sharjeel Inam Memon and Sadiq Memon are said to have explained their positions but Mukesh Chawla kept silent.

“Mirza is our best friend and we had no political agenda when we met him,” Sharjeel Inam Memon is reported to have said to the CM. “It was a personal meeting and we cannot give up our relations with him because he is so kind to us.”

Just as these words were out, Pir Mazharul Haq retorted: “Mirza has always created problems for the party. His meetings with our ministers and party members give the impression that he is creating a forward bloc.”

Sources said that the CM addressed Sadiq Memon to say, “You were MPAs and we have appointed you ministers not to breach our trust but to follow party discipline.”

Responding to this, Memon reportedly said, “Zulfiqar Mirza is our friend and there should not be any restrictions on developing relations with anyone. We have been in the party since our [elders]. We have not hatched any conspiracy against the party nor have we violated party discipline. If you do not trust me, you can take back my portfolio.”

There were reports that during the meeting, when the CM and other cabinet members criticised Mirza, a disssenting member walked out. But a spokesperson from CM House denied this news. “No cabinet member boycotted the meeting, but a few members went out for a smoke break and they later returned,” said an official.

Later, when pressed Sadiq Memon told The Express Tribune that he could not discuss the meeting as has been asked to follow party discipline.

Local government system

During the meeting Haq told said that the governor’s ordinance on local government would expire on November 6, therefore both coalition partners have to agree on the issue. “We have held many meetings, but no consensus has developed on which system should be introduced,” he is reported to have said.
“I hope we will be able to make legislation by Novem-ber 6.”

President summons PPP ministers 

Sources said that President Zardari has summoned a few ministers of the Sindh cabinet to Islamabad to brief him.

They include Murad Ali Shah, Sharjeel Inam Memon, Manzoor Wassan and Jam Mahtab Dahar.

Sources said that these ministers also met Mirza the other day at a party arranged by former PPP MNA Sattar Bachani in Karachi. Meanwhile, Manzoor Wassan has been summoned to brief the president about his clash with additional IG Saud Mirza over SHO appointments.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 14th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Internal dissent: Pro-Mirza PPP MPAs snub CM’s summons</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/272767/internal-dissent-pro-mirza-ppp-mpas-snub-cm%e2%80%99s-summons</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/272767/internal-dissent-pro-mirza-ppp-mpas-snub-cm%e2%80%99s-summons#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 12 Oct 11 21:17:14 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hafeez Tunio]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=272767</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Party members asked to explain why they were meeting Mirza, publicly supporting him.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[If Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah wasn’t already angry, a dozen of his party members ensured that he was by Wednesday when they refused his summons. They were asked to explain why they have been meeting Zulfiqar Mirza.


Lashings of criticism from the fire-breathing Mirza have been directed at the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) newly reinstated coalition partner, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). The PPP distanced itself from Mirza’s statements but when its very own MPAs spent three days with him, matters came to a head. The party’s chief, President Asif Zardari, asked Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, who runs the party in Sindh, to haul them up.

But then, the dissent cracked wide open when the MPAs refused to go to CM House to meet Shah. “[Zulfiqar Mirza] is our best friend and party leader,” said Javed Shah, one of the PPP MPAs who was served notice. The others included Imdad Pitafi, Nasrullah Baloch, Fayaz Butt, Aisha Khoso, Imran Zaffar Leghari.

The defiant MPAs said that they would discuss the matter at the party’s parliamentary meeting on Friday. Mukesh Kumar Chawla, Sharjeel Inam Memon and Aisha Khoso did, however, go see the CM.

Qaim Ali Shah would have asked these party members why they met Mirza on several occasions since he returned from abroad this week and why they publicly supported him. There were gatherings with him at the residences of Baloch, Chawla and even PPP federal minister Khurshid Shah. Pitafi, Shah, Baloch, Butt and Leghari, who accompanied Mirza to Pir Pagara’s residence on Monday, said that they did not regret meeting him. Mirza is no longer an MPA as he resigned in August.

The MPAs were told that unless they explained themselves in a few days, the party would take action against them. Zulfiqar Mirza has been traditionally known as one of the men close to Zardari, but this may have changed with these recent developments.

One of the reasons that the PPP leadership is unhappy with Mirza is that he has been opposing the local government system and the MQM’s stance on it. But the PPP has to come to some sort of agreement with the MQM at some point on this legislation.

Sources said that during a meeting, the CM briefed PPP leaders about the 2001 local government system and said that they would start negotiating with their coalition partners, especially the MQM, on the lawmaking. A bill may very well be making its way to the Sindh Assembly, which is due to be in session soon.

Mirza becomes a thorn in the PPP and MQM’s side because he claims he has garnered the support of some dissenting PPP MPAs who will oppose this legislation if it bows to MQM demands. “We clarified our position during the meeting with the CM that we cannot accept SLGO 2001 and will vote against it,” Aisha Khoso told The Express Tribune after she answered her summons.

She felt that the 2001 system of running Sindh’s cities has not worked for people at the grass roots level. “How can we accept a system which has encouraged corruption rather than fix problems,” she asked.

For his part, PPP MPA Imran Zafar Leghari argued that they could not accept a system that was introduced by a “former dictator and his cronies”. He was referring to Pervez Musharraf’s 2001 system. But then, the PPP MPAs who prefer the 1979 system are criticised on this point as that too was introduced by a military dictator, General Zia-ul Haq.

For now, though PPP parliamentary leader in Sindh Pir Mazhar-ul Haq has called a parliamentary meeting of the party on October 14 (Friday) in order to brief the party’s MPAs about their policy on the local government system and other issues.

Sources said that the CM also met PPP leaders from Lyari. Rafique Engineer and Saleem Hingoro attended the meeting in which the CM talked about the government’s decision to ban the Peoples Amn Committee, which Mirza backs. The PAC said on Wednesday that it would challenge the ban and that Mirza had advised them to also rename themselves.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 13th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Bare all: Bestseller in the works?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/271305/bare-all-bestseller-in-the-works</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/271305/bare-all-bestseller-in-the-works#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 10 Oct 11 21:22:33 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=271305</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Mirza says he is seriously considering a 'reveal all' book, some chapters of which can be made into a movie.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The smell of naan wafted through the air Monday night as Zulfiqar Mirza peppered his conversation with jokes at a reception hosted for the media.

With a luscious white Persian cat perched on one of the tables in the background, Mirza told The Express Tribune that it was true that he was seriously considering writing a reveal all book, especially with all the ‘evidence’ he has gathered over the years. “My children and wife tell me to write one all the time,” he said. “You know, you could also make at least four or five really good movies on different episodes from my life. I guarantee you that each of them would be a super hit and different from the other.”


Published in The Express Tribune, October 11th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Limits to reconciliation: Zulfiqar Mirza dares PPP to pass bill pleasing MQM in assembly</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/271304/limits-to-reconciliation-zulfiqar-mirza-dares-ppp-to-pass-bill-pleasing-mqm-in-assembly</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/271304/limits-to-reconciliation-zulfiqar-mirza-dares-ppp-to-pass-bill-pleasing-mqm-in-assembly#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 10 Oct 11 21:06:16 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=271304</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Firebrand leader’s resignation accepted from house as protest held against him in Saddar.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Controversial Pakistan Peoples Party leader Zulfiqar Mirza re-ignited political tension in the city on Monday by vowing that he would not abandon Karachi and would take the fight for Sindh to the streets.


He also put forward a challenge to his own party: Try and have the new local bodies bill passed in the Sindh Assembly. Incidentally, he threw down the gauntlet just as his resignation was accepted from the house, effectively stripping him of his MPA status. He insisted, nonetheless, that PPP MPAs were behind him on the bill.

(Read: One more diatribe: Mirza lashes out at PPP-MQM coalition)

This time, Mirza chose Kingri House, the residence of Pakistan Muslim League-Functional leader Pir Pagara, as the setting for his latest diatribe. He went there to meet Pagara along with four PPP MPAs. “I have the whole country with me. Let them know that I will sleep in my home. Come and get me if you can,” he said in an apparent reference to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

The PPP was quick to once again distance itself from these statements. “The PPP does not own Mirza’s statements,” Sindh Assembly Speaker Nisar Khuhro said while telling the media that he had accepted Mirza’s August 28 resignation from his parliamentary seat. PPP sources said, however, that Mirza’s party membership was still intact.

For the MQM, senior leader Waseem Akhter said that the government must take action against Mirza before his statements and behaviour result in violence on the streets. “The way guns were exhibited on Sunday is not hidden from anyone. He violated all rules and norms,” he said.

At his residence, Pir Pagara decided not to speak to the media along with Mirza, a possible sign that some politicians are distancing themselves from President Zardari’s one-time good friend and the husband of National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza. PML-F spokesman Imtiaz Shaikh said that Mirza’s meeting with Pir Pagara was a matter of routine. “Everyone comes to see Pir Sahib, even the opposition leaders. So I wouldn’t attach too much importance to it.” He said that Pir Pagara would have probably asked Mirza to improve his behaviour. “The PML-F is in continuous contact with the MQM. We haven’t ended our ties with them at all.”

LG system

Mirza revealed some elements of his motivations at his dinner reception for the media Monday night. “BB [Benazir Bhutto] too directed that one should follow the policy of reconciliation and try to take along all political parties, but at the same time she also urged [us] to draw the line somewhere.”

It seems that Mirza is drawing the line on the local government system which the MQM wants in place. Sindh Assembly members are mulling options on how to reinstate the system instead of the commissionerate that the PPP has backed otherwise. “We will not let anyone pass the bill [seeking to annul the commissioner system],” said Mirza at Pir Pagara’s house. “Leaders of the PML-F, PML-Q and those who eat what they harvest from Sindh’s soil, are with me.”

Mirza said that some PPP parliamentarians were supporting him on the issue. These PPP MPAs include Imran Zafar Leghari, Imdad Ali Pitafi, Fiaz Butt and Nasarullah Baloch. “I am confident that no one in the Sindh Assembly will support such a bill.”

Violence

Mirza continued to be outspoken about the evidence he had on who was behind the violence in Karachi. At his dinner, Mirza said that he would appear before the Sindh High Court on October 24 to record his views about the killing fields in Karachi. He was referring to the monitoring committee assigned by the Supreme Court to see whether its verdict on the suo motu case into Karachi’s target killings was being implemented in full.

Protest

Just as Speaker Nisar Khuhro accepted Mirza’s resignation, closing the door on his possible return to the government fold, coincidentally hundreds of people gathered at the Karachi Press Club with colourfully photoshopped placards of Zulfiqar Mirza.

The protest was held under the banner of the Ahliane Karachi (Representatives of Karachi). But Mirza called the protesters ‘chickens and rats.’ “Previously, the very same people had held the same protest against me under the banner of Mohajir Ittehad. These cowards don’t have the guts to come out and say openly that they belong to the MQM,” he scoffed.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Sindh Government bans People's Amn Committee</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/271364/sindh-government-bans-peoples-amn-committee</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/271364/sindh-government-bans-peoples-amn-committee#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 10 Oct 11 19:45:43 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=271364</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Ban imposed under Section 11-B of Anti-Terrorism act, bars members from conducting political activities.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Sindh Home ministry has issued an official notification banning the People’s Amn Committee (PAC) from conducting any political activities, Express 24/7 reported. 

The PAC, which had already closed its offices back in March before Zulfiqar Mirza vowed to revive the committee on Sunday.

(Read: One more diatribe: Mirza lashes out at PPP-MQM coalition)

According to the notification, the PAC had been declared a defunct organisation and its members barred from conducting any political activities under its banner as per section 11-B of the Anti Terrorism Act.

Express 24/7 correspondent Ahmed Jung reported that the Uzair Baloch led PAC had already been disbanded by President Asif Ali Zardari in March following a string of deadly clashes. Though it was unclear to what end would the new ban serve given the presidential order several months ago.

Jung further said that the Lyari based PAC maintained members who carried and displayed weapons, a violation of section 144 in effect in Lyari.

(Read: Welcome to the jungle)

Earlier in the day, Speaker Sindh Assembly, Nisar Khuhro had accepted Zulfiqar Mirza’s resignation as a member of the Sindh Assembly, relinquishing his elected seat of MPA.

(Read: Zulfiqar Mirza's resignation accepted: Khuhro)

Members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement too had called for the house arrest of Mirza under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) to preserve peace in Karachi.

(Read: Waseem Akhtar calls for Mirza's house arrest under MPO)]]>
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			<title>Waseem Akhtar calls for Mirza's house arrest under MPO</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/271191/waseem-akhtar-calls-for-mirzas-house-arrest-under-mpo</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/271191/waseem-akhtar-calls-for-mirzas-house-arrest-under-mpo#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 10 Oct 11 18:52:19 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=271191</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Altaf Hussain appeals party workers to remain calm and practice restrain despite Mirza's statements.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Member National Assembly (MNA) Waseem Akhtar demanded to put former Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza under house-arrest on Monday.

Akhtar asserted that Mirza should be put under house-arrest under Article 16 of Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) adding that Mirza wants to disrupt peace in Karachi with the help of bandits.

He also requested President Zardari to resolve issues between Mirza and Rehman Malik.

Meanwhile MQM chief Altaf Hussain appealed in a statement to his party workers to remain calm and peaceful despite Mirza's heated statements.

Earlier on Sunday after a trip from overseas, Mirza launched into a diatribe against the MQM, just three days after it formally rejoined the ruling coalition led by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

He addressed a press conference at the Peoples Stadium in Lyari lashing out against MQM chief Altaf Hussain and calling the PPP-MQM coalition a conspiracy to break up the country.

Mirza blamed the MQM for several crimes in Karachi including murder, extortion, robbery and even rape. He claimed that he would ‘expose’ the MQM taking ‘evidence’ he has against the party and its chief to courts in the United Kingdom.]]>
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			<title>Zulfiqar Mirza's resignation accepted: Khuhro</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/270861/zulfiqar-mirzas-resignation-accepted-khuhro</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/270861/zulfiqar-mirzas-resignation-accepted-khuhro#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 10 Oct 11 14:13:55 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=270861</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Speaker of the Sindh Assembly says the secretariat will soon issue a notification regarding the resignation.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Speaker of the Sindh Assembly Nisar Khuhro said on Monday that the resignation of Zulfiqar Mirza has been accepted and a notification will soon be issued in this regard.

"I have accepted the resignation," said Khuhro while speaking to the media.

"I have also told my secretariat that the notification that is drawn up about this should be passed. After this, my work, to an extent will be completed."

Khuhro went on to read the article in the constitution that deals with resignation.

"The constitution is very clear on the issue of resignation. The rest is official procedure, which will be made public accordingly," said Khuhro.

Khuhro said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (EC) will now do its part.

Once a member of the assembly resigns, it is the election commission’s job to hold by-elections for the vacant constituency.

Mirza tendered his resignation during a fiery press conference in Karachi on August 28 from the posts of senior vice-president of the party, member provincial assembly (MPA), member Central Executive Committee (CEC), minister for works and services and senior minister.

On 7th September this year, the Governor of Sindh Dr Ishratul Ebad accepted Mirza's resignation as Sindh's senior minister and minister for works and services.]]>
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			<title>One more diatribe: Mirza lashes out at PPP-MQM coalition</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/270289/fiery-zulfiqar-mirza-continues-bashing-mqm-rehman-malik</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/270289/fiery-zulfiqar-mirza-continues-bashing-mqm-rehman-malik#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 10 Oct 11 05:04:24 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Salman Siddiqui]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=270289</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Addresses press conference in Lyari, criticising both parties.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[He’s back. Within hours of landing in Karachi after a trip from overseas, former Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza launched into a diatribe against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, just three days after the MQM formally rejoined the ruling coalition led by the Pakistan Peoples Party.

With an outburst resembling that of an angry comedian, Mirza addressed a press conference at the Peoples Stadium in Lyari, a PPP stronghold in Karachi, lashing out against MQM chief Altaf Hussain and calling the PPP-MQM coalition a conspiracy to break up the country.

Referring to himself in the third person, he said “Dr Zulfiqar Mirza will also go to Nine Zero,” challenging the MQM chief to come out of exile in London and meet him there.

Mirza blamed the MQM for several crimes in Karachi including murder, extortion, robbery and even rape. He claimed that he would ‘expose’ the MQM and even take the ‘evidence’ he has against the party and its chief to courts in the United Kingdom, much like Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan had done.

“My inbox is filled with emails and soon I will expose the MQM with loads of evidence I have gathered,” he said.

Mirza was also unusually critical of his own party during the press conference. He admitted that some PPP members had been involved in criminal activities and even implied that some of those were members of Parliament or even the cabinet, vowing once again to ‘expose’ them all.

“Without a doubt, there are robbers even in the PPP who have sold out their consciences for money,” he said. “I have no shame in calling a robber a robber and a murderer a murderer.”

He also took the unusual step of directly criticising the Supreme Court’s verdict on the summer of violence in Karachi, even attacking (albeit without naming them) members of the judiciary. He said that he would also expose the ‘rampant corruption among the people who are supposed to deliver justice to the public.’

Mirza had volunteered to testify in the suo motu case, but was never called by the Supreme Court.

He also played to the gallery in Lyari, mocking Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik for trying to ban the Peoples Aman Committee, a controversial group with its origins in Lyari. “Even the father of Satan cannot ban the Aman Committee,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 10th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Alarm Bells: Bomb threat at Zulfiqar Mirza’s home</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/267683/alarm-bells-bomb-threat-at-zulfiqar-mirza%e2%80%99s-home</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/267683/alarm-bells-bomb-threat-at-zulfiqar-mirza%e2%80%99s-home#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 05 Oct 11 18:52:04 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=267683</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The roads leading to the residence of Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza were closed over the possible threats of a bomb.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The roads leading to the residence of Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza were closed over the possible threats of a bomb. There was a possibility of a hand grenade attack, said a report by the Crime Investigation Department. SSP South Naeem Sheikh said that Mirza was out of the country but he would reach Karachi on Saturday, and security will be further tightened then.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 6th, 2011. ]]>
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			<title>Manzoor Wassan rejects Mirza's claim of issuing 300,000 arms licences</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/252988/manzoor-wassan-rejects-mirzas-claim-of-issuing-300000-arms-licences</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/252988/manzoor-wassan-rejects-mirzas-claim-of-issuing-300000-arms-licences#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 15 Sep 11 13:30:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=252988</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Wassan says only 128,000 arms licences were issued during the last 11 years.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wassan rejected claims that former Sindh senior minister Zulfiqar Mirza had issued 300,000 arms licences, Express 24/7 reported on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters in his office, Wasaan asserted that only 700,000 arms licences have been issued from 1947 to 2000.

He said 128,000 arms licences were issued during the last 11 years.

As reported earlier this month, addressing a massive public gathering in Lyari, Mirza said he was ‘proud’ to have issued 300,000 weapon licences during his tenure.

“I gave the arms licences to the people of Karachi, not for aerial firing at wedding ceremonies but for times like these when no one is safe,” Mirza said.

Speaking about the joint search operation conducted in Karachi, Wassan said seven more target killers were arrested.

He also said that the law and order situation in Karachi has improved considerably.

The Home Minister said indiscriminate action is being taken by the government and no criminal is being spared.

Alleged target killer among suspects arrested in Karachi

Karachi police on Thursday arrested several people during a search operation in Liaqatabad while an alleged target killer was taken into custody from Saudabad.

The police reportedly raided Naseer Square, arresting half a dozen suspects and recovering weapons from them.

Authorities say investigations are still being conducted.

In another incident, Saudabad police arrested an alleged target killer, Zafar alias Andha.

Sub-inspector Shah Faisal told the media that police obtained a Kalashnikov from Zafar's posession. Zafar has confessed to committing several murders.

Yesterday, authorities detained nearly 100 suspects and seized several weapons after conducting a joint search operation in Sohrab Goth. They claim to have released most of the detainees.

The entire area was cordoned off by barricades and no one was allowed to leave till the search operation had ended.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Mirza’s exit: Sindh Assembly yet to receive resignation says Khuhro</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/252333/mirza%e2%80%99s-exit-sindh-assembly-yet-to-receive-resignation-says-khuhro</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/252333/mirza%e2%80%99s-exit-sindh-assembly-yet-to-receive-resignation-says-khuhro#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 15 Sep 11 05:31:54 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=252333</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Mirza must submit a handwritten resignation in person to the Speaker.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Sindh Assembly Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro claims that he has not received Dr Zulfiqar Mirza’s resignation yet.

According to the constitution, provincial assembly members should submit handwritten resignations to the speaker, Khuhro told the media at Sindh Assembly on Wednesday. “The member must be present and the resignation should clearly mention that he is resigning without any pressure.”

The assembly secretary does not have the authority to receive resignations from any member.

After the resignation is accepted, it is the election commission’s job to hold by-elections for the vacant constituency and the Sindh Assembly has nothing to do with it.

Earlier, a delegation of federal parliamentarians led by Federal Minister Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah called on Khuhro at his chambers to discuss the current political, social and economic situation and the devastation caused by the rain.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 15th,  2011.]]>
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			<title>Zulfiqar (Mirza) a double-edged sword?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/251485/zulfiqar-mirza-a-double-edged-sword</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/251485/zulfiqar-mirza-a-double-edged-sword#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 13 Sep 11 16:47:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[khaled.ahmed]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=251485</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Only glitch is that Ali’s sword was not double-edged — the Arab sword was single-edged and curved, it had two heads.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Our cleric-with-a-funny-bone, Hafiz Hussain Ahmad of the JUI says the PPP’s Dr Zulfiqar Mirza is a double-edged sword. Lest you miss the real joke, let us remember that Al Zulfiqar was the sword of Hazrat Ali (RA), and it was pretty deadly. The intended pun has certainly hit home.

The only glitch is that Ali’s sword was not double-edged — the Arab sword was single-edged and curved — it had two heads. That is how it is depicted in some of the pictures I have seen. Every Muslim knows that Hazrat Ali (RA) was the greatest warrior of Islam. He also carried a sword given to him by Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) himself. The name of this sword was Al Zulfiqar. Many Muslims name their sons Zulfiqar.

The origin of the legend of Zulfiqar is lost in the mist of history. One version says that it was a “great steel sword” forged by King David who was also a prophet. The sword had two points, like a snake’s tongue. It usually targeted the enemy’s eyes.

This version also tells us that Zulfiqar was captured from a heathen named Aas bin Munabih in the Battle of Badr. It was handed to the Holy Prophet (Pbuh) by an honest companion. The Prophet (Pbuh) handed it to his cousin, Ali.

The name Zulfiqar means the one with the spine grooves. It has other related meanings too. The sword is said to have been kept by the Abbasids for many centuries. Hazrat Ali performed miracles with it in the battles of Islam.

Lat, Manat and Uzza, the pre-Islamic deities of Arabia, scared the Arabs through their bloody cults. The Prophet (Pbuh) appropriated two sacrificial sabres from the temple of Manat and gave them to Hazrat Ali (RA), saying that one of them was Al Zulfiqar, which became the famous sword of Ali the Warrior.

‘Zulfiqar’ has a root that appears in the Holy Quran, too, and gives us many interesting words in Urdu. The root ‘fqr’ means ‘spinal vertebra’. (That accounts for the above meaning listed as grooves.) The derivative ‘faqir’ (beggar) actually means ‘a man whose spine is broken’.

Funnily ‘faqir’ may also mean, ‘the groove in which a date palm is set’. It also means ‘creating a groove in someone’s nose by piercing it’. Faqir is a camel with its nose pierced.

For the poor the Holy Quran has two words: ‘faqir’ and ‘miskeen’. ‘Faqir’ is a man in need but ‘miskeen’ is someone who is completely down and out (‘saakin’). ‘Faqir’ has less than what he needs; ‘miskeen’ has nothing. ‘Miskeen’ — from root ‘skn’ — literally means brought to a standstill in one place.

‘Faqir’ has taken on more meanings. It also means ‘someone who is contented in his need’. One important element in mysticism is ‘faqr’, the need to be in need. Although it is an antonym of ‘ghani’ (one who is free of need) it has come to mean something close to ‘ghani’.

The Holy Quran mentions categories of people that must be helped: ‘faqir’, ‘miskeen’ and orphan. For orphan the Arabic word is ‘yateem’, but its root means alone or unique. A precious stone, too, can be called ‘yateem’.

A beggar in English is the person who begs. In Urdu ‘bhikari’ means ‘one who is hungry’. The money we give him is ‘bheek’. These are apparently all cognate words. Finally through ‘bhook’ we go to the word ‘bhojan’ (food). When we are angry we equate Pakistan, as a country, to a ‘bhikari’.

‘Mangta’ is Urdu for beggar, literally ‘one who demands’. The Indo-European root of demand is the same as found in ‘mangna’ (to ask). Our ‘mang’ is cognate with Persian ‘mand’ which is close to English root of demand.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 14th,  2011.]]>
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			<title>Call For Judicial Inquiry: ‘Mirza’s allegations can’t be taken lightly’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/251219/call-for-judicial-inquiry-%e2%80%98mirza%e2%80%99s-allegations-can%e2%80%99t-be-taken-lightly%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/251219/call-for-judicial-inquiry-%e2%80%98mirza%e2%80%99s-allegations-can%e2%80%99t-be-taken-lightly%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 13 Sep 11 12:04:41 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=251219</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Imran Khan urges the Supreme Court to summon Mirza and Sindh’s Education Minister Pir Mazharul Haq in this regard.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The allegations levelled by former Sindh home minister Zulfiqar Mirza are not of an ordinary nature and cannot be brushed aside, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan said on Monday. A press release issued by his party quoted him as calling for a formal judicial inquiry to ascertain the veracity of the allegations. He also urged the Supreme Court to summon Mirza and Sindh’s Education Minister Pir Mazharul Haq in this regard. Khan said Sindh was facing the worst floods in its history, affecting over five million people, “but the rulers are away on holidays in Europe”. PRESS RELEASE

Published in The Express Tribune, September 13th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>I am not calling Mirza a liar: Pir Mazharul Haq</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/250547/i-am-not-calling-mirza-a-liar-pir-mazharul-haq</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/250547/i-am-not-calling-mirza-a-liar-pir-mazharul-haq#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 12 Sep 11 06:20:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=250547</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Mazhar confirms meeting with Hussain in London to negotiate a political agreement.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Sindh Senior Minister Pir Mazharul Haq refused to confirm or deny the account given by his former cabinet colleague Zulfiqar Mirza about a meeting that the two of them had with Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain in which Hussain admitted to be colluding with foreign governments to break up Pakistan.


“I am not calling Mirza a liar,” said Pir Mazhar while visiting the tomb of the nation’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, on the occasion of his death anniversary.

Pir Mazhar had earlier said that, in Sindh, only those who think their words will not be believed raise the Holy Quran over their heads before saying what they want to say.

Mazhar confirmed the meeting with Hussain in London to try to negotiate a political agreement between the MQM and the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party. However, he said that “divulging details of such a meeting in public is not appropriate.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12th,  2011.]]>
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			<title>City violence: Karachi worse than Waziristan, says Rangers chief</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/247643/city-violence-karachi-worse-than-waziristan-says-rangers-chief</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/247643/city-violence-karachi-worse-than-waziristan-says-rangers-chief#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 07 Sep 11 22:41:16 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[zeeshan.mujahid]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=247643</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[MQM begins to assist the proceedings; SC turns down JI plea to summon Zulfiqar Mirza.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Chief of the paramilitary Pakistan Rangers Sindh has called Karachi’s situation graver than that of terrorism-hit South Waziristan but solvable once the state decides to act against criminals.

“Karachi, unfortunately, has political, ethnic and religious polarisation. The problem begins as an ethnic one but once that is quelled, religious violence erupts,” Maj-Gen Ijaz Chaudhry told a five-member bench of the Supreme Court during Wednesday’s hearing of the suo motu case on Karachi violence.

But he categorically rejected the idea that a military operation was the answer to continuous violence in Karachi. “The army or the Rangers cannot assure a durable solution to Karachi’s issues. The only long-term solution is political,” he said. However, he stressed that violence could be quelled if full powers were given to law-enforcement agencies. “There is a realisation on part of the government and that’s why Rangers were given police powers. If a free hand is given to us, we can put the city back on track and return Karachi to its people,” he said.

(Read: ‘As long as the parties deny responsibility, killings will continue’)

The bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, has so far summoned Sindh police chief Wajid Ali Durrani, Supreme Court Bar Association President Asma Jahangir, and counsel for Awami National Party Iftikhar Gilani.

MQM joins in

Meanwhile, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), which had been cautiously observing court proceedings for the past week, has finally decided to assist the case.

Confirming that the party has decided to participate in the proceedings, Barrister Farogh Naseem told The Express Tribune that he will appear on behalf of the MQM. “We want to help the court find a way forward. The focus of our arguments will be what was done internationally in similar cases and how it can be emulated [in Karachi],” Naseem said, stressing that the MQM believes that the Supreme Court is an apolitical platform.

However, octogenarian nationalist leader and chief of Awami Tehrik Rasool Bux Palejo said that the MQM, hand-in-glove with feudal landlords, is acting as an agent of international imperialism. “The MQM has an organisational setup in countries like Japan, Canada and the US. It is a terrorist organisation like al Qaeda.”

The bench interrupted and asked him to confine his submissions to recent incidents as per an order of bench dated August 28.

“The problem has its roots in the period after our so-called independence [from British rule]. Some people came and abolished our freedom,” he said, urging that, in view of the evidence, the federal government should consider imposing a ban on the party.

Palejo’s argument was seconded by former chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Iqbal Haider who said Karachi’s problems date back to 1986. “Many commissions were established and reports were prepared but none were made public thus the real issues remain hidden.”

New legislation

As lawyers for various stakeholders presented their arguments and suggested constitutional or extra-constitutional steps to guarantee peace in Karachi, the chief justice hinted at new legislation for quick dispensation of justice.

Citing examples of Italy and Chicago, he said that families and cartels grew so strong that the government was left with no choice but to act on information and sentence them immediately in a summary trial.

Earlier, Khawaja Naveed Ahmed, appearing for the UK-based Friends of Lyari International, submitted that under a sub-section of Section 6 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, extortion can be checked.

Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) counsel Ghulam Qadir Jatoi said that the assembly could be suspended for six months or till such time that law and order improves in the city. “The carnage in Karachi has been built up before the upcoming Senate elections so that pressure can be applied for negotiations on number of seats,” he alleged.

Responding to JI counsel’s request to summon former Sindh minister Zulfiqar Mirza to court, the chief justice said that if Mirza wanted to appear, he should submit an affidavit in court himself.

Punjabi Pakhtoon Ittehad’s Irfanullah Khan Marwat said that, while the court is hearing the case, bodies continued to be found in gunny bags.

The bench asked the responsible police officers to come forward and explain.

The deputy inspector-general, who appeared on behalf of the police department, was unable to tell the name of a person who was killed and another policeman appeared ignorant about a torso found from a garbage bin in Orangi Town.

“We have observed that, prima facie, the government has failed. This is more evidence,” the CJ said.

Blaming the ‘politics of reconciliation’ for the law and order breakdown in Karachi, Marwat said that police and Rangers should be allowed to work freely and the city should be deweaponised. “The real problem in Karachi is control over the city.”

The court also heard arguments by Advocate Javed Ahmed Chattari, a resident of Qasba Colony, who informed the court about the area’s topography including that of Kati Pahari, Qasba Colony, Gulfamabad, Aligarh Colony and other adjoining areas.

The PML-N’s panel of lawyers proposed special security for business centres, neutral officials be appointed to the Citizens Police Liaison Committee, a Mass Transit System for Karachi, monitoring through CCTV cameras and creation of job opportunities.

Proceedings were then adjourned till Thursday.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 8th,  2011.]]>
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			<title>Plan A or plan banana?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/247050/plan-a-or-plan-banana</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/247050/plan-a-or-plan-banana#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 07 Sep 11 15:26:11 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sami.shah]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=247050</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[If Zardari is in control, then Mirza makes sense, if not, then we are witnessing a free-for-all in cuckoo land.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[There has to be a plan right? This has to be all part of some brilliant diabolical scheme, so deviously concocted and so labyrinthine in its complexity that to truly comprehend it is to risk insanity. We cannot see the outline for we are too close and even if we were to get the requisite distance, what to us would seem like a chaotic tangle of murderous buffoonery is in fact a tightly woven tapestry of intrigue. That is what I want to believe. That President Zardari is in control of all the elements at play. Indeed, that those elements are only playing because he gave them the toys and the instructions that go with them. I need to put stock in the idea that what is occurring is exactly according to his plan, a plan that will become evident only once all the chapters of this story are complete. That he plays politics the way Batman out-thinks his rogues gallery; several steps ahead and just watching us all tread along the paths he has laid out for us towards our inevitable conclusions. That way, at least we aren’t watching insanity unfold across our television screens.

See, if Zardari is indeed in control, then Zulfiqar Mirza makes sense. I don’t mean what he is saying is coherent and full of actual logical content. I mean his actions can be understood in a wider context. He is unleashing a diarhhetic onslaught of truthiness because he has been instructed to do so. This will alienate the MQM and vilify them in the public perception (the public that, it should be noted, has been conditioned by local dramas to be manipulated by grotesque overacting). Once cornered they will be offered a chance at relief if they simply agree to the PPP’s terms of rejoining the coalition government without any more of their posturing and if they guarantee certain key results and unconditional support in the senate elections. Meanwhile, the increasingly alienated Sindhi nationalists have a new urban hero to put faith and votes in. If all goes according to the cunning plan, then Zulfiqar Mirza will disappear, his anger will abate and all will be forgotten. The only memory we will have of the entire affair is that a fruit salad of insults were thrown at Rehman Malik and his skin is thick enough to deflect it all anyway. The PPP will be that much closer to senate majority, their damaged credibility with Sindhi nationalists will be repaired and we can all go back to fearing gunny bags.

If, however, there isn’t a plan in place, then we are witnessing a free-for-all in cuckoo land. Then we have to come to terms with the fact that the president just lost a close ally who chose to instead fashion a hat out of the Holy Book before going on a tour to publicise his nervous breakdown as a form of performance art. It means the ruling party has had such a collapse in discipline that it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the major players all start standing at street corners and yelling at passers-by, declaring every square foot of land a new province and then launching themselves out of cannons at the MQM headquarters.

What’s frightening is that I don’t know which potential reality I fear more. The former means the PPP is guaranteed a victory in the senate and possibly the 2013 elections as well, crafted by a president who plays politics of a level that makes his opponents look like toddlers with learning disabilities. The latter means the biggest political party in the country is on the verge of implosion with no one strong enough to clean up the resultant debris. Or maybe there is a third option. Maybe we have all gone insane ourselves and are suffering a mass hallucination. I think I prefer that.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 8th,  2011.]]>
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			<title>Ebad accepts Mirza’s resignation</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/246830/ebad-accepts-mirza%e2%80%99s-resignation</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/246830/ebad-accepts-mirza%e2%80%99s-resignation#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 07 Sep 11 05:07:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=246830</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Decision regarding his MPA seat will be made soon.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Sindh Governor Dr Ishtraul Ebad Khan accepted on Tuesday the resignation of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Zulfiqar Mirza as Sindh’s senior minister and minister for works and services.

According to the Governor House spokesman, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah had sent a summary to the governor and advised him to accept the resignation.

Mirza tendered his resignation during a fiery press conference in Karachi on August 28 from the posts of senior vice-president of the party, member provincial assembly (MPA), member Central Executive Committee (CEC), minister for works and services and senior minister.

Soon after his press conference, Shah had accepted his resignation as the vice-president but no decision regarding other positions was made.

Party sources told The Express Tribune that a meeting of the CEC would be convened soon regarding the remaining positions.   Regarding Mirza’s MPA seat, party sources revealed that Sindh Assembly Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro had held a meeting with the chief minister to discuss the issue and a decision would be made soon.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th,  2011.]]>
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			<title>War of words: MQM rebuts Mirza, blow by blow</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/246578/mqm-press-conference-mustafa-kamal-answers-baseless-allegations-on-mqm</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/246578/mqm-press-conference-mustafa-kamal-answers-baseless-allegations-on-mqm#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 06 Sep 11 18:30:55 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=246578</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Mustafa Kamal says former home minister is attempting to drive a wedge between Sindhis and Mohajirs.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Accusing Zulfiqar Mirza of driving an ethnic wedge between Sindhis and Mohajirs in the province, member of Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) Coordination Committee Syed Mustafa Kamal said the former home minister should prove his allegations in a court of law.


The MQM lost 15, 000 workers during the 1992 military operation but never conspired against the country, Kamal said in a blow-by-blow rebuttal of Mirza’s charges during a marathon press conference held on Tuesday at the Khursheed Begum Secretariat. The MQM does not need a certificate of patriotism from anyone, he said.

Dismissing Mirza’s allegations that MQM chief Altaf Hussain had written to former British prime minister Tony Blair and asked for his assistance in disbanding the Inter-Services Intelligence, Kamal said that a similar letter had been attributed to slain Pakistan Peoples Party leader Benazir Bhutto – a letter that she had allegedly written to an American senator, Peter Galbraith. The MQM believes that the letter attributed to Bhutto was also fake, he said.

In fact, he added, the return address on the letter allegedly written by Hussain was also incorrect.

Responding to Mirza’s allegation regarding the involvement of MQM’s Senator Babar Khan Ghauri in theft of thousands of containers carrying Nato supplies, Kamal said that Mirza was the home minister at that time but did not lodge an FIR against this.

(Read: There he goes again - In another outburst, Mirza ups the ante against MQM)

He refuted the allegation, and questioned that, if the event did take place, why were Nato forces silent over theft on such a huge scale?

On the other hand, Kamal highlighted Mirza’s confession of issuing 300,000 arms licences, “not for aerial firing at celebrations,” and said that the hard-talking former minister is actually the one conspiring against Pakistan’s integrity and sovereignty.

In contrast, he said, the MQM and its chief are patriotic Pakistanis since Hussain was the first political leader to announce his support to forces fighting terrorism.

It was only later that all other political parties followed suit, he said.

Kamal called upon the Supreme Court, which is hearing a suo moto case on Karachi violence, to probe into the recovery of 18 people from the custody of target killers.

The chief justice should ask the federal and provincial governments who rescued the hostages, whom they had contacted and on whose orders the kidnappers released the abducted people, he said.

Kamal said that Baloch leader Lashkar Raisani criticised the government and the media for producing one Baloch suspect but did not speak against targeted killings of other ethnicities.

Kamal, who is more popularly known for his stint as Karachi’s Mayor, also pointed out that his party had endeavored to serve each and every person of the city – regardless of ethnicity and political affiliation. He said that even the representatives of other political parties who were part of the city’s administration hadn’t, and couldn’t criticize the MQM because they knew what the party had done for the city.

(Read: More Mayor, less Malik)

He said that, under the MQM, the city benefitted from development of infrastructure and all ethnicities had benefitted because of this. He also said that, during this time, the MQM also controlled the province’s police force and no one had even heard of the expression ‘target killings’.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th, 2011.

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[poll id="493"]]]>
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			<title>Solving Karachi troubles</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/246392/solving-karachi-troubles</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/246392/solving-karachi-troubles#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 06 Sep 11 17:04:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=246392</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Contrary to the advice of politicians, the Supreme Court should cast as wide a net as possible in its hearings.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Since just about everyone else has had a go at trying to fix the situation in Karachi, no harm will be done if the Supreme Court also joins the effort. And if the early signs are anything to go by, the Supreme Court may just do a better job of it. Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry ordered Inspector General of the Police Wajid Ali Durrani to remove station head officers who had been appointed based on their political affiliation rather than on merit. This, the Supreme Court correctly believes, can form the basis of an independent police force that would have the ability to withstand political pressure and go after those who are responsible for the carnage in Karachi. The sentiment is a fine one but the reality is that court orders alone are not enough to get this done. Political parties will use every tactic they possess to ensure that the chief justice’s instructions are ignored. The Supreme Court will have to persistently follow through and haul up politicians who are impeding the process to have any chance of success.

Contrary to the advice of politicians, the Supreme Court should cast as wide a net as possible in its hearings. Both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani are opposed to a judicial commission investigating the allegations levelled by Zulfiqar Mirza, primarily against the MQM, saying that political matters should not be settled by courts. This is a misguided view. The accusations Mirza made at his press conference specifically concerned the law and order situation in Karachi and what he believed was the MQM’s role in igniting it. Now that the Supreme Court is looking into this very matter, it should ask Mirza to appear before the bench and substantiate what he has been saying for the last week.

What the Supreme Court can do is hold accountable those who were responsible for the violence and those law enforcement officials who didn’t do their jobs. What it cannot do is prevent future violence. Only the political parties, if they come to the realisation that the exercise of political power does not have to include violence, can ensure peace in the city.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th,  2011.]]>
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			<title>Karachi violence: PTI calls for a ‘governor’s rule’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/246520/imran-khan-calls-for-governors-rule-in-sindh</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/246520/imran-khan-calls-for-governors-rule-in-sindh#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 06 Sep 11 16:18:13 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=246520</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[PTI chairman says statements of Zulfiquar Mirza should be taken seriously.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan called for imposition of the “governor’s rule” in Karachi as the only solution to the city’s problems in the current situation.


Addressing a press conference, Khan questioned whether the administration and law enforcement agencies were effective in Karachi. The PTI chairman said that statements of Zulfiquar Mirza should be taken seriously. According to him, the accusations of Mirza were directly related to the integrity and stability of the country. Khan claimed that the PPP, MQM and ANP all had their full-fledged functional armed wings in Karachi, hence only an impartial governor rule with a powerful administration could restore peace.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th,  2011.]]>
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			<title>Garnering support: PPP MPs throw weight behind Mirza</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/246053/garnering-support-ppp-mps-throw-weight-behind-mirza</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/246053/garnering-support-ppp-mps-throw-weight-behind-mirza#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 06 Sep 11 04:27:11 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=246053</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Call former home minister ‘a brave man’ and ‘the voice of [PPP] voters’.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Former Sindh home minister Zulfiqar Mirza is on a mission as he lobbies with his party members, trying to get them to back his stand against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Interior Minister Rehman Malik.


Not only are the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) local leadership and its workers in close contact with Mirza, the party’s legislators also visit him every day to discuss “future strategy”, sources within the party revealed. “Around 25 PPP MPAs of the Sindh Assembly have expressed full support and are looking forward to future line of action by Dr Mirza,” a sitting MPA of the ruling party told The Express Tribune on condition of anonymity.

The MPA said, “We don’t care whether Mirza has taken this stand on President [Asif Ali] Zardari’s instigation. What we do know is that he is a brave man and his version is the voice of our voters.”

“The chief minister (CM) has had no time to listen to us. We are thankful to Dr Mirza who has always helped us out,” said another MPA who met Mirza at his residence on Monday.

When asked whether they would support Mirza openly, he said, “We are ready to back him up, but he refuses, saying it will ‘create differences’ within the ranks of the party.”

“We don’t believe Mirza had any serious differences with our leadership. He has made sacrifices for the party and can resume charge because everything is possible in politics,” said MNA Ghani Talpur.

Some believe Mirza’s press conference was pre-planned and President Zardari had asked him to meet the Inter-Services Intelligence chief so he could be briefed about the activities of the MQM.

The PPP has accepted Mirza’s resignation as senior vice-president, but a decision regarding his ministry and MPA seat is yet to be made.

Sources said the CM has accepted Mirza’s resignation as minister for works and services, as well as senior minister, and has sent a summary to the governor for approval.

There were reports that the PPP had decided to suspend Mirza’s basic membership, but Mirza retorted, “I am a Jiyala [diehard worker] of the PPP and no one can take away my right to be a member of the party,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>The genie is out</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/245321/the-genie-is-out</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/245321/the-genie-is-out#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 05 Sep 11 15:52:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[shaukat.qadir]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=245321</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Mirza may have helped the Zardari/Malik duo to achieve the end they sought.]]>
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				<![CDATA[It was an unusual sight; a senior PPP member holding the Quran to lend authenticity to his diatribe directed at PPP’s Interior Minister Rehman Malik — currently, President Asif Ali Zardari’s right-hand man — and at the MQM, the party that Zardari has tasked his trusted henchman Malik to woo back into the Sindh coalition government. Zulfiqar Mirza is no ordinary member of the PPP. A bosom pal of Zardari, senior minister Sindh, senior leader of the Sindhi chapter of the PPP, whose wife is Speaker of the National Assembly; he is not an individual to be taken lightly.

Essentially, there are three things he stated in the press conference: a) Rehman Malik being his most prominent target was identified as “Pakistan’s greatest enemy” and “a compulsive liar”. b) The MQM was behind the target killings in Karachi and c) the MQM was actively engaged with the US in a programme for the dismemberment of Pakistan.

Actually, there was really nothing new in the first two disclosures. Malik is almost universally acknowledged as Pakistan’s greatest bane and the MQM has a long history of violence in Karachi/Hyderabad. The exclusion of the PPP among those responsible for the ongoing mayhem in Karachi was prominent by its omission, but that should not be surprising. The US plan for the Balkanisation of Pakistan is more than a decade old. I doubt it has been sanctioned, but the fact that a prominent member of the party manning the treasury benches should publicly say so was a surprise.

Mirza also brought along numerous documents which (according to him) contained incontrovertible proof against Malik and the MQM. What is more, he claimed that these documents had signatures of members of numerous intelligence agencies, police officials, serving army officers etc.

Given his stature in the party and his close bond with Zardari, the scepticism with which analysts initially reacted to his disclosures was to be expected. However, it was his late night interview that was more enlightening and might have put most suspicions to rest.

What seemed apparent was that Mirza had finally cried ‘enough’ and permitted his pent up fury to finally vent itself. What gave this credence, in my view, were his contradictions. “I will appear before the Supreme Court (SC) and make my disclosures, but not in camera”; “if Zardari tells me to, I will keep quiet”; “I have made my disclosures public. It is now up to the government to act on them”; “if Iftikhar Chaudhry (the Chief Justice) has the courage to call me, I will speak”; “which ordinary citizen can refuse to obey the SC?”; “if the SC wants these documents, they are public record, not my personal property”; “I am not afraid of anyone”; I will lead the war against injustice in Karachi”; “I am Zardari’s man till death”; “my resignation is the triumph of falsehood and the defeat of truth”.

These were not coherent, well-rehearsed utterances; rather disjointed ones likely to come from one acting on impulse, without adverting to consequences. He kept contradicting himself in how far he was prepared to go and appeared to be magnificently oblivious to the fact that his indictment of Malik could not but indict the man who lets him run rife: either the prime minister or the president. Most of all, the individual that he acknowledges as his benefactor and continuously swore loyalty to — Zardari!

Mirza is right about one thing though, he has certainly set the cat among the pigeons and, on top of that, he has thrown down the gauntlet for whoever chooses to pick it up. It is now impossible for the SC to ignore his disclosures, nor can it afford not to summon him as a witness. Whether Zardari tells him to keep his mouth shut from now onwards or not is irrelevant. In the light of his public indictment, he can no longer afford to do so.

Time will tell how this drama will conclude but it seems to me that, albeit inadvertently, Mirza may have helped the Zardari/Malik duo to achieve the end they sought. The MQM may no longer be in a position to afford sitting in the opposition in Sindh!

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6th,  2011.]]>
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