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The home minister said that he was also ready to review cases of MQM workers that were instituted against them on false grounds. He also dispelled the notion that the PPP was no longer interested in removing misunderstandings with the MQM. Mirza said that he had already taken Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan into confidence over the Lyari issue. However, he said, he was disappointed by MQM leaders’ allegations that he was supporting extortionists and protecting criminals.
He said that he was ready to quit the government if asked to do so, but would remain a party worker. He said that the Aman Committee existed in Lyari and Malir – Baloch-dominated areas of the city that were the stronghold of the PPP. He said that the party made a mistake by disowning the Aman Committee.
MQM TO BOYCOTT ASSEMBLIES, SENATE: The MQM Rabita Committee held a joint session in Pakistan and London on Sunday night that condemned the home minister for supporting the Aman Committee and calling it an auxiliary organisation of the PPP. The committee observed that Mirza aided terrorists and criminals of the People’s Aman Committee, which had increased kidnaps for ransom, robberies and extortion in the city. The committee reached the decision that in the current situation, it could not continue working with the PPP. The committee decided that MQM legislators would boycott the National and Sindh assemblies’ session and the Senate.
Meanwhile, MQM spokesman Wasay Jalil told Pakistan Today on Monday that a MQM delegation will meet President Asif Zardari today (Tuesday) at 3pm and convey the MQM Rabita Committee’s decision to boycott the sessions. The MQM delegation, to be led by Farooq Sattar, would include Babar Ghauri, Raza Haroon and Dr Sagheer.
