PPP Senator Haji Lashkari Raisani has demanded Interior Minister Rehman Malik’s resignation, saying he is under ‘moral obligation’ to do so. The announcement followed a series of allegations made against Malik by former Sindh minister Zulfiqar Mirza.
Calling him the ‘most unwanted’ man in Sindh and Balochistan, Raisani alleged that Malik has sabotaged the peace process in Balochistan.
He went on to say that the government should launch a judicial probe into the matter and that cases must be registered against him under Article 6 of the Constitution.
“Malik is now morally bound to resign as he sabotaged the peace process in Balochistan. The two small provinces Sindh and Balochistan are demanding Rehman Malik to resign and leave the interior ministry at once,” he told reporters on Monday. Further alleging that Malik’s conduct had on many occasions been unbecoming, he said: “It has been observed that whenever Rehman Malik visited Quetta, he used harsh language and delivered provocative speeches against Baloch nationalists which spoiled the process of reconciliation and negotiations.”
The senator alleged that Malik had directed siege-and-search operations in Baloch and Pakhtun-populated areas in Karachi only to appease his ally. “Malik is a man with a dubious character and his suspicious activities have fuelled the deteriorating law and order situation not only in Karachi, but also in Balochistan,” he said, adding: “I do not know why he is still holding this key position after such serious allegations.”
Raisani said: “It is the responsibility of the state to launch a judicial inquiry. If it is not conducted, it will encourage some elements to try and break up Pakistan.”
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rehman Malik called on President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday and briefed him about the law and order situation in Karachi and the measures to maintain law and order in the Sindh metropolis. According to sources, Malik took notice of the allegations made by Zulfikar Mirza and Lashkari Raisani against him.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 6th, 2011.
COMMENTS (35)
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Dear Son of the Soil- Mr Nawabzada Lashkari Raisani
Why you have to complain always. your father was with ZA Bhutto and in power, most of the time and EVEN NOW Balochistan had Governors and CM were Balouchiss, So why you are so weak that people are conspiring agaisnst you. I wish you read this fact and answer.
Your people do not even have clean drinking water in yor areas........!
@Sun-Set..I really admire ur incorrigible optimism...After all this mayhem, it really takes some heart to still have faith in Zardari and Co. If as per you, Zardari is the only savious we are left with in Pakistan, the sun is sure to set soon. !!
@ Karachiwala....Dnt mind the brickbats buddy....In Pakistan anyone who speaks sense is treated the same way !!
@Patriot: First part of your opinion is agreeable as every educated Pakistani thinks in the same way,but not the rest of your comments,it seems as if Mirza has bought his followers some cheap empty cages and they are desperately trying to catch some birds to put into them.The best and elegant way to bring out some charges against anyone is not the way Mirza did, what the court in Pakistan is for? no one can sell sub standard junk food of a company that are hazardous for the public .Where does the Quality control of that company stand.First it needs to be approved by the quality control of that "company".You may draw the attention of food inspector toward the case but what if he makes a deal with the seller. A lot of cases of traitors are pending in Pakistani court, we need to clear that first. Finally majority of our Pakistani have a taste of listening and seeing leaders who portrait themselves as"SULTAN RAHI".They need to change their taste.
Raisani, what about ethnic cleansing of Punjabis in Balochistan. What have you done for that ?
I still believe in the master brain_ Our President Mr. Zardari. He has the really impressive political talents that he has shown time and again at many occasions I remember. Now I am sure he can pull Pakistan out of this misery using his very talented staff(ofcourse except a few I agree, it can happen in any party). All a leader has to do is meditate a little once in a while in a corner just by himself to think what is best for his constituents_ not for his party members or next election or his heir. Who knows! Maybe what is good for his country will come out to be the best for all of the three above. May Allah give enough Power & Wisdom to the leader to become the Savior of not just his family or his party but the whole nation he is the ruling.
@karachiwala!!!
we are not divided on any level at all. If you think so, you shouldn't be in pakistan. its only political parties who are divided on their agenda and to implement that and gaining their interest, they are dividing masses. I have been living here (europe) with people from all over pakistan and there wasn't a moment in my 2 year stay when anybody talks about ethnicity or any other crap. Pakistan is our nationality and we are proud to be pakistani. we are born pakistani and will die pakistani insha'Allah.
@lobster.
first of all i am not from Karachi. If i would write my city, your so called ethnicity will come in. So let me be a PAKISTANI who is working abroad.
@Karachiwalal: Well done Karachiwala! i agree with you and as the saying goes "Bhains key agey been bajane sey kia fayedah".
The main problem of Pakistan is that we are far from the concept of nationalism rather we are much closer to "culturalism".That's what we have been instilled in by some bigoted so called leaders .To tell the truth 80% Pakistanis don't have the vision of what their political leaders are for. they just know "US VS THEM" in fact we haven't recognized each others as a compatriot rather we are proud of being Punjabi, Sindhis and others and we are working meritoriously day and night honing the concept of our having "rich cultural heritage" the concept of "WATNIYAT" is obscured .Let me say no nation can stand head high just projecting their cultural heritage, and also let me say the cannibals MASAI tribe of Africa and KOROWAI of Indonesia do also have a culture and are proud of it, so should we enter into a contest with them proving who is the best, culture has its own significance and effect on society but is that enough for a nation who is surrounded by enemies and is being stalked every moment every day.We should think over it.
@syed baqar ahsan: Sir you have shown the great world insight Pakistanis have. I think the old system suited you... Warehouse full of register with munshi managing it
@Lobster: I am proud to be from Kaachi... Born and bred
Some serious efforts are in the pipeline to put the house in order.For that reason every body is firing at Rehman Malik. Zulfiqar Mirza was innocent, his position was being used by some else. Issuing 3,00,000 arm licence was not a joke.Mirza sahib will release very soon.Those who are sponsoring Sindhi Topi and Aajrak are not the friend of people of Sindh and Zulfiqar Mirza.
@Waleed: Because President Zardari wants him to. Try to analyze what compelling reasons there may be that Mr. Malik continue to enjoy President Zardari's confidence after so much hoopla has been raised against Mr. Malik from within PPP and from outside. It is obvious that those trying to target Mr. Malik do not have the courage to directly criticize President Zardari, so they are targeting Mr. Malik.
Every Tom, Dick and Harry is coming out to grind his axe against Malik.
@jaz khan: So which religious divide led to secession of East Pakistan? What religious divide caused friction between Punjab and rest of small provinces? We are a nation divided on all levels. If you are a stable country united will you be willing to hoist Pakistani flag in Khuzdar or Sibi and sing Pakistan's national anthem? do you know Pakistan's flag was burnt in Lyari on 14th August? Let me know the religious divide that is creating friction....
@Ali: ZM is on record of saying after Benazir's death we had decided on Pakistan Nakhappay till Zardari said Pakistan Khappay.. please explain what is it about if not ethnicity?
Secretariat Police Station has jurisdiction over Sindh? It's news to me!
@Karachiwala: Wrong, it has been religion all along, we have always been together, despite the facts that there are ethinic divides visible within political parties, but that should not be considered as something against religion anyways. The ethnicity and religion can always, and has always been going on hand in hand. The Pakistan is a very stable and powerful country, contrary to the common propaganda our media and some so called weirdos emit through vacuums they carry within their skulls.
Why is Rehman Malik still in charge of anything at all?
Now do not get Rehman Malik angry. If Sindh and Baluchistan dont like what he is doing,he will go and bring peace to Khyber Pakhtunkhawa province.
On a different note can PPP provincial chief of Baluchistan and senior minister of Sindh both be wrong?.
Now do not get Rehman Malik angry. If Sindh and Baluchistan dont like what he is doing,he will go and bring peace to KP province.
On a different note can PPP provincial chief of Baluchistan and senior minister of Sindh both be wrong?.
@Usman Khalid: I agree with you. Its Malik's sheer incompetence and perhaps even malice that makes him unacceptable, not his ethnicity. And again I agree on your second point. If Indian commentators cannot make constructive comments they ought to keep it zipped!
so things getting clear, it's PPP vs Rehman Malik
Interesting development... We have PPP fracturing on ethnic lines with Sindh and Baluchistan not ready to accept a Punjabi interior minister. I believe it is the development of major cracks in Pakistan with very province voting on ethnic lines... What will be the uniting force? Religion hasn't bound us together in 64 years
@Maher: He has been called a liar not only by his opponents but also by his party members. He was security in-charge of Benazir, and failed (or passed?). Now he is security in-charge of Pakistan and the results are visible.
@Maher: "To know you're close to the end is a kind of freedom" - He is enjoying his freedom these days ...
Rehman sabotaging efforts for peace in Karachi, in Balochistan, punjab don't think Rehman is capable of doing anything, he is not going to KP province, so what he is for ?????