Home turf: Anti-Mirza PPP workers want investigation into ‘misuse of powers’

Senior leaders say they dared not speak for two years.

HYDERABAD: The senior district leaders of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) from Badin, who were sidelined by former home minister Dr Zulifqar Mirza, want an investigation into how he misused power, as they say, over the last couple of years.

On Sunday, a rally was staged by the supporters of MPA Nawaz Khan Chandio in his constituency, Shaheed Fazil Rahu, in favor of President Asif Ali Zardari and Home Minister Manzoor Wassan. Mirza’s supporters tried to break it up.

Immediately, after the rally clash, Mirza said that he would not allow anyone to chant slogans or organise a rally against him in his own constituency, Tando Bago or his wife, Fehmida Mirza’s area. It was also reported that a case was lodged at Shaheed Fazil Raho police station against the men who stormed the rally.

Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah chaired a meeting on the issue the very next day when Badin’s MPAs and other PPP leaders discussed the issue. All of men Mirza recommended in the district have been replaced by senior leaders who were sidelined.

“The CM’s inspection team will begin the probe the matter within a few days,” said Abdul Ghafoor Nizamani while talking to the media in Badin on Monday. He was given back his old post as the party’s district general secretary after the clash. Nizamani has replaced Mirza’s close friend and former district nazim, Sardar Kamal Khan Chang.

He disclosed that all of Mirza’s alleged wrongdoings in the last two years would be investigated. “Our mouths were kept shut but, the PPP workers are now free,” he added. Haji Abdul Sattar Memon, Abdul Ghafoor Memon, Gul Muhammad Sariwal, Allah Dino Chandio accompanied Nizamani.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th,  2011.