![mirza interview the hits just keep on coming mirza interview the hits just keep on coming](https://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/244537-ZulfiqarMirzaPHOTONEFERSEHGALEXPRESS-1315112773.jpg)
Nearly a week after his diatribe first shocked the nation, former Sindh senior minister Zulfiqar Mirza’s ability to surprise the country with startling admissions remains intact.
In an interview with the Express News programme ‘To the point’, Mirza appeared to admit to the government’s failure in protecting the lives of its citizens and seemed to support vigilante justice. “If somebody kills an intruder into their home, they are justified,” he said.
Mirza then went on to brag that he, in his capacity as Sindh home minister, had issued 300,000 arms licences “to allow people to protect themselves.”
Yet his most startling allegations were once again reserved for Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik, whom he once again chose to insult in rather colourful detail.
Benazir Bhutto’s assassination
Once again, Mirza’s allegations were not direct, but he implied that Malik’s negligence was at least partly to blame for the death of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
“Who changed the original plan to drive Benazir Bhutto in her own car? Why was she in Sherry Rehman’s car?” asked Mirza, without suggesting any concrete answers, though hinting that Malik had been negligent in providing security to the late Pakistan Peoples Party chairperson.
‘I had Rehman Dakait killed’
Perhaps one of the most startling admissions was about gang warfare in Karachi, where Mirza admitted to having ordered the extrajudicial killing of Abdur Rehman Baloch, known by his street name ‘Rehman Dakait’.
“I had Lyari killer Rehman killed,” said Mirza. He later backtracked from this admission, saying that he had ordered the arrest of Baloch, during which he was killed.
The admission, however, came in the context of a question about target killers in Karachi being affiliated with political parties. Mirza claimed initially that there were no target killers affiliated with the PPP, but then seemed to contradict himself by calling Baloch a target killer, implying that he was a PPP loyalist and then expressing grief over his death.
‘Disappointed’ with the president
After nearly a week of fiery speeches against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Rehman Malik, Mirza finally said that he was disappointed in President Asif Ali Zardari, even as he continued to call himself a loyal friend of the president.
“I am very disappointed in President Zardari,” he said.
He suggested that the president, as well as Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, had made a mistake in allowing Rehman Malik to become interior minister. “The interior minister is supposed to serve as the president’s eyes and ears in the country,” he said. “Appointing Malik to that post was a serious misjudgement.”
Exonerated on all charges
Mirza admitted to having faced at least six different criminal charges, though he boasted that he had been exonerated on all counts and had been acquitted without any assistance from the controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance promulgated by former president Mursharraf that dropped charges against politicians from several parties.
He even claimed that he was exonerated on some charges before the PPP government came into office.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 4th, 2011.
COMMENTS (21)
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I'm so glad we're rid of a home minister who doesn't even know basic facts such as those involving Benazir's murder. She wasn't travelling in Sherry Rehman's car - she was shifted there AFTER the attack because her car was disabled by the explosion that followed the gunshots.
If Mirza is telling the truth, he should submit the evidences to the court, instead of creating anger, uneasiness, and conflict among ethnicities.
No one is ready to tell full truth that is the biggest issue. Half truth is more dangerous so we all needs to keep our finger crossed and wait for devine help.
Nobody ever Dared to say anything against MQM but Mirza is the only one who Disgraced MQM before all Nation. Salute to Him for his courage and Honesty. Whatever he did is appreciable....
One instance he holds the Holy Book in his hands & the other he admits to drink alcohol. How should a common man trust him? Whatever he is saying is all in the name of politics & not for principles.
MQM and his support base feels very uneasy with bold comments of Mirza.He may be very harsh in his tone but his words carry information and facts.He has exposed dons of Karachi.His brave step is laudable and all pro-don party are attacking his personality to divert masses' attention from core issues- the facts ZM has brought before public.Bring some evidences to refute his claims,instead attacking his personality just to save Dons of Karachi.
You like him or not! The guy is speaking his mind, and telling the truth. No matter how bitter it is for MQM or the President.
The interviewer was dishonest with his questioning. I'm not sure how the questions, "Liquor trading", "p orn", etc, were relevant to the topic. They remind us of the campaign that MQM launched earlier against Imran Khan. The only difference is that this time it is through their proxies in the media.
Pakistan would be a better place if both he and Malik took a long vacation and didn't come back.
HAH! I just looked at his face. Is he sticking out his tongue at his and doing the classic "neener neener"?!
I loved this:
"Mirza claimed initially that there were no target killers affiliated with the PPP, but then seemed to contradict himself by calling Baloch a target killer, implying that he was a PPP loyalist and then expressing grief over his death."
Oh, the somersaults thee takes....
It seems that he is afflicted with foot in mouth disease. Can Express Tribune get a psychologist to analyze the diatribes of this person and publish the report? It would make interesting reading.
Don't u people understand that this man is on a special mission......!
Can some one take serious notice of Mirza? How openly he's justifying murders in retaliation and acknowledging openly that he would ask his goons to kill people from the opponent party as he doesn't believe in court system. This guy needs some help.
The man issued 300,000 gun licenses and he wants the world to believe that he wants peace for Karachi and everybody else doesn't. This man has lost it. Don't know why the media is even taking notice of his rants. It's obvious that his accusations are a figment of his own imagination.
The government needs to arrest this guy before he hurts himself or others. He is very deluded and needs anger management therapy.
Furthermore, please check these 300,000 arms licenses he talks about. Who were these given to? It may be a possibility that he may have a private militia.
the joke that this guy is
Whether Mirza understands what is he talking about?
sigh