Mirza was accompanied by Lord Nazir Ahmed when the two were returning from a ceremony organised by the Pakistani community in honour of the former minister.
The attack left two local journalists injured, following which the assailants fled the crime scene.
The attackers were “the same people” whom Mirza said he is campaigning against. The former minister added that such attacks would not deter him from completing his mission.
The police have registered a case against the assailants; meanwhile the CCTV footage obtained by them revealed that the attackers were of Asian origin.
Lord Nazir said that it is Scotland Yard’s responsibility to arrest those responsible for the attack.
Angry reaction back home
“The attack on Dr Zulfiqar Mirza and Lord Nazir resembles the attack on [slain MQM leader] Dr Imran Farooq and we demanded that a case be registered against Altaf Hussain in this regard,” Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi Senior Vice President Shamshad Ghauri said while condemning the attack on Mirza and Lord Nazir.
Meanwhile, a shutter-down strike was observed in Badin in protest against the assault on Mirza.
The former Sindh home minister’s supporters took to the streets, burning tyres and forcing businesses to close down.
A rally led by Abdullah Mallah and Lala Mallah set on fire photos of Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain and chanted slogans against the party.
The demonstrators demanded that those responsible for Saturday’s attack in Manchester be brought to justice.
(WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY OUR CORRESPONDENT IN KARACHI AND INPUT FROM PPI)
Published in The Express Tribune, November 27th, 2011.
COMMENTS (21)
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Since the Scotty Yard outright rejected Mirza he had to come up with somethin to gather the sympathies of his lunatic followers .And this was it ............... Imagine someone attacking Mirza with an iron road amidst the level of seciruty in Manchester exposed out with innumeorus CC Camera and Scotty Yard just lying idle .....Coem'on ....this is way too much even for Mirza and co.
i think dr zolfikar mirza is a true and strong man he cant afread frm any one he is a honest pakistani
Poverty also exists in mqm areas @the Skunk:
@the Skunk: Well done, keep spraying!
ONE DAY LIFE OF A LION IS BETTER THAN HUNDRED YEARS OF JACKAL (Tipu Sultan) this quote is for zulfiqar mirza as he is a lion we all pakistani should be proud of him. May Allah protect him and keep him safe (amen)
Iron rods, how stereotypical and ineffective. Did he at least get a bruise? Not to be insensitive, but 5 men only injuring 2 journalists when targeting Mirza using iron rods is suspect. It's not like those journalists were body guards. But, yeah, little to worry about. Since it's on camera and not Pakistan they'll be dealt with anyways.
It was all cooked up by Mirza and Lord Nazeer.
Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza u r a brave man...it will not hurt u...whole nation prayers r with u..INSHALLAH U will suc u r fghting not only for the ppl of khri,,,but 4 the ppl of PAKISTAN..GOD BLESS U ...AMEEN
Assalam-o-Alaikum.. May ALLAH give you success against evils and nation enemies.. ALLAH protect you and your from all evil plans.. AAMEEN
Mirza should return to Pakistan as his life is in danger there, I wonder why is he risking his life in a foreign land.
we love you Mirza sb so much. May Almighty Allah protect you and bless you amen.
Dr.Mirza lives in the heart of the people. Anti Dr.Mirza people out of frustration are doing mistakes which will eventually hurt them and their party.This is attack on freedom of speech.Shame!
Is he is bleeding from head...
MQM?