The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Punjab and Lahore chapters on Thursday organised protests against Sindh Senior Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza’s remarks against the party and its chief Altaf Hussain at the Ferozepur Road and the Lahore Press Club.
Angry protesters, including women and children, were holding placards against Mirza and chanted slogans. They also burnt effigies of the Sindh senior minister and Awami National Party (ANP) Sindh President Shahi Syed. Protesters blocked roads by burning tyres, which disturbed traffic. They urged the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to take notice of Mirza’s remarks and demanded President Asif Ali Zardari sack him otherwise the president will be responsible for the situation in Karachi.
Protesters said that the Sindh senior minister had insulted the people of Karachi and Hyderabad and demanded his expulsion from Karachi. MQM Central Committee Member Iftikhar Randhawa said that the party will humiliate Mirza if he tried to enter Punjab or Lahore. He requested the CJP to take suo motu notice of his statements.
The MQM leader said that they were silent because their leader had asked them to do so but if such abusive language was used again they would respond with full force.
