Mirza asks young Pakistanis to support a cause, not a party

LONDON: Zulfiqar Mirza is being called a lot of things these days - a hero, the lion of Sindh, a liar, an actor, but after a talk at the School of Oriental and African Studies on Saturday it became clear to me that the man was none of the above.

Throughout the talk he transformed before my eyes from a loud and passionate ringmaster, to the strongman, the juggler and then unfortunately the clown. His fiery statements and arguments have been circulating in the media ever since, and I feel it is important to point out and view his statements in context of the questions he was asked and how he replied.

Dressed in an immaculate black suit, crisp white shirt and a red tie, Mirza began with a short speech highlighting the need to improve the law and order situation in Karachi. He said that it was harming the country’s economy. He added that the British could bring Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Altaf Hussain to justice for harboring anti-Pakistan sentiments and importing terrorism in the country by applying the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006.

He ended his speech by saying that he was inspired by Martin Luther King and read out a quote which condemned those who calculated success through material acquisitions instead of services rendered to mankind and highlighted the need for ‘good’ people to raise their voice against injustice.

With great vigor, Mirza stated that he had never run away from questions and criticism and would remain in the room until he had satisfied everyone.

Here are some of the questions he was asked.

Q. We know how corrupt these political parties are but who do you think can step up and improve the situation in Pakistan?

Mirza: I will talk about today - today there is no angel in Pakistan, if we have to choose we will go for the lesser evil. Go and look for the lesser evil.

When asked who the lesser evil was, he replied,

“I am looking for one today. The lesser evil has not been born yet.”

Q. With the Quran on your head you said that MQM leader Altaf Hussain is planning to break up Pakistan, but the Pakistan Peoples Party and President Asif Ali Zardari have refused to break their alliance with the MQM so does that mean that the PPP is part of this plan? And you are here to bring Imran Farooq’s killers to justice but when will you work towards identifying the murderers of Benazir Bhutto?

Mirza: I did not say that he was ‘planning to break up Pakistan,’ Altaf Hussain in the presence of Pir Mazharul Haq told me that the United States of America had decided to break up Pakistan. He said that they were with them and would not stop killings Pakhtuns in Karachi. I have said many times that Pakistan has given us honour, wealth, good children, good teachers, good wives and a good country, so even if my father was against it I would oppose him.

As for Benazir Bhutto’s killers, the government is trying to identify them but Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik has transferred the case to the Federal Investigation Agency instead of the provincial police. So if God gives Malik some faith and strength to speak the truth then I am sure the identity of the killers will be brought in front of the people.

Q. Your resignation was an extremely bold step, my question to you is that could your post as a senior minister in Sindh not lead to the uplift of Sindhis and Pakistanis in terms of job, income, representation and integration? Is it not easier to bring change from the centre?

Mirza: You are so young, smart, and intelligent. You are from a very high class and respectable family in Sindh. I know your father, he was my classmate, he always did better than me at school. So how can you expect me to reply to such a long and elaborate questions - you have come with written questions and you expect me to give you an oratory on this. I am sorry.

Q. You have started a campaign to save Pakistan. Do you think that your actions can bring about change and bring these political tycoons who have been ruling Pakistan for the last forty to fifty years, to justice? Will you accept any political party’s help or alliance for the success of your campaign?

Mirza: I have put my hand on the Holy Quran three times, I have put it on my head and said that I do not want anyone’s support, I have the support of He who has created me, of my God and I am acting on His support. I have come here on my own expenses. When I saw that my wife had only given me money for seven days but the Scotland Yard wanted me to stay for another week, I moved into a friend’s house so that the  money could last two weeks instead of one. I think your question is irrelevant, do not support me through any party, look at my cause and support me on its basis. Support a cause, not the party.

Mirza stated very clearly that his cause was solely his fight against the MQM, his answers to other questions remained vague - filled with unnecessary comments and jokes. His distracted and light tone darkened and lashed out against Hussain whenever the MQM was mentioned. Nothing substantial apart from his strong opposition to MQM was revealed in the talk and the crowd raised their voice against his unsatisfactory response to their questions.

 

The writer is a third year Fine Art and History of Art student at Goldsmiths, University of London.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^st, 2011.