Intra-PPP Tensions: Mirza demands ban on Malik’s entry in Sindh
Sindh Senior Minister Zulfiqar Mirza lashed out at Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik at the special Sindh cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Gilani on Monday, calling for Malik to be banned from entering the province.
Mirza’s flare-up came when he tried to talk about the devastation caused by the floods in Badin, at which point he was reminded by the prime minister that the meeting was called to discuss the law and order situation in Karachi. At that point, Mirza angrily denounced Malik, who was also present at the meeting, saying that Malik was not bothered by the violence in Karachi.
“Malik sahib is always pleading the case of one political party during every meeting and does not care about the law and order situation in Karachi,” said Mirza, alluding Malik’s efforts at reconciling the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) with the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
“All of this [violence] is happening in Karachi because of his [Malik’s] role,” said Mirza. “I request that a ban be imposed on his entry in Sindh.”
Mirza accused the interior minister of interfering in Sindh affairs. Malik, for his part, remained silent during the entire diatribe and instead relied on the prime minister defending his actions. Prime Minister Gilani said that Malik did not take any actions that were not authorised by him [Gilani] or President Asif Ali Zardari.
The PPP tried to downplay the fight between the two. Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said: “There was not any kind of fight, scuffle or exchange of heated words between them.”
Later, both Malik and Mirza were shown on state-owned Pakistan Television (PTV) hugging each other and being cordial. However, it was later confirmed that Mirza was summoned by the president to Islamabad.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 23rd, 2011.
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What I do not understand is why is everyone talking about Sindh, Punjab, Baluchistan etc? For once cant we all be just Pakistanis? Please, please, please stop using the Sindh / Punjab / KPK / Baluchistan cards. Remember of there is no Pakistan there is no Sindh / KPK / Baluchistan or Punjab.
Dr zulufqar mirza is great leader of sindh dharti of sofia-e-kiram
Yes Mr.Mirza said absolutely right, people are interested in Mr.Maliks funny statement.
@Ali: Yes , it says a lot about Democracy Pakistan style !!!! Too much Ghairat and not much else of anything else !!!
Rehman Malik has to his credit some very funny contributions: attributing killings of innocent to their girl friends and wives, creation of so called ''third party involvement'', blaming Sarfraz Shah of snatching guns from Rangers who killed him, branding a serious political conflict as a mere land mafia, drug mafia war ......... He has been dealing law and order in Karachi for last three years, he is mainly responsible for the current state of affairs. He should be rightly banned to handle Sindh affairs and entry to Sindh. He was elected to senate from Sindh and has been working against the interests of Sindh since. He has been praising the very people who are responsible for the violence in karachi. He should immediately be relieved from Interior Ministry, at best he be made Information Minister where he can bark whatever he likes. Any way he is going to be next Maulana Kausra Niazi to PPP when the time comes.
He has made strategic blunders in handling affairs with Nawaz league and restoration of judiciary. He and Babar Awan are only the recipe for disaster. Wake up PPP leadership!
mr. zulfiqar will never grow up. he appears to be most impressed with sultan rahi's diologues. mr rehaman must tender resignation after this insult and for so many other insults he has brought upon himself and to the nation. if our "great" prime minister cannot control a person in a cabinet meeting how can he call himself effective. why could not he tell mr. mirza that it is not a choice with him who should come to karachi. instead he was apologetic when he said that rehman malik is not visiting in his personal capacity. why mr. rehman cannot visit karachi in his personal capacity?. he is a citizen of pakistan and he can live, stay or visit any place in pakistan, a right granted to him by the constitution of pakistn. he does not have to ask mr zulfiqar mirza for this.
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui Sahib: I am amazed that you do not realize that Dr. Mirza can afford to throw these temper tantrums and even attack a Federal Minister because Dr. Mirza is a close childhood buddy of President Zardari from their St. Pat's days. Rehman Malik Sahib have been a tremendous asset to both Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed and President Zardari because of his role in benefitting them from the UN's "Food for Oil Programme" for Saddam Hussein. That alone netted the couple a tidy sum. Please read: http://www.asiantribune.com/pak-politicians-involved-iraqs-oil-food-programme-sc So, both Rehman Malik Sahib and Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza are valuable to President Zardari. A little Noora Kushti between the two is harmless. So please do not be too much concerned about it. Also, please note that Dr. Mirza does not give two hoots to what you think and "what people of Karachi think about Dr. Mirza."
Hedgefunder, how can you BAN a Pakistani from traveling to any city within Pakistan? What BS is this? MQM banned Imran Khan from entering Karachi back in the day too. Who do they think they are?
Why only ban Rehman Malik from Karachi, I say we ban him from whole of Pakistan.
Both individuals are good for nothing. But I will support Zulfiqar Mirza statement 100%. Blatant and callous Rehman Malik should be rather sent home for good, in last 3.5yrs what results has he produced? Incompetence to the hilt!
Aoa. I personally don't like ppp but I love zulifqar mirza stance in sindh. If he could given one week free hand trust me he will wipe out all bhataa khor, terrorist there. He can't do anything bcz of zar-dari
these are the reasons which show why democracy fails with feudals.. u need a leader like musharraf who shows governance.. at a time of crisis makes the decision and implements it.. not bickering and fighting among incompetent fools..give the order to the ssg.. get in there and clear them out..
How can you possibly Ban an Minister of the state??? What sort of Govt or Nation is this???
solution to this problem! karachi should be another province!!! sindis find it too hard to accept that they have no political control over karachi. call mqm whtever u want..but this party did more for karachi than any sindi land lord did for his own region...sind shud be divided for better adminitration
Zulfiqar Mirza needs to grow up seriously.
I wonder if Rehman Malik is still convinced that the majority of killings were carried out by embittered girlfriends.
This is what our politicians are? How dare Mirza stop a federal minister coming to Karachi? Karachi does not belong to Mirza and should grow up and learn abc of politics.First lesson is tolerance and even that is missing just pity!
really mirza u r among the greatest personalities of sindh. i wana sacrify my life for persons like u
How do you expect good from these politicians if they can't stop bickering among themselves.
This would be a very wise step from the Presidency if wisdom prevails there?