Most of political parties termed Zulfiqar Mirza’s tirade against the MQM and Rehman Malik well-calculated and based on facts. Some believed it as a game of interests that might end democracy in the country.
PML-N senior leader Raja Zafarul Haq said that Zulfiqar Mirza’s press conference was an issue of the MQM and the PPP, so it should be settled by them first. “We will adopt wait-and-see policy to evolve our strategy,” he added.
It may damage democracy: Another PML-N leader, Khawaja Asif, feared Zulfiqar Mirza’s serious allegations against the MQM might greatly damage democracy. People had started questioning democracy as all the situation had proved that the politicians had failed to run the country. He alleged Karachi violence was basically a game of interests and those involved in it were not politicians; instead, they were gangsters and mafias. “Now, it is up to the MQM how it responds to the accusations, whether it parts ways with the coalition government forever or continues to serve its vested interests,” he added.
Allegations ‘grave’: PML-N MNA Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan said Zulfiqar Mirza’s allegations were extremely grave. “The PPP and MQM must respond immediately to the grave accusations and assertions by Dr Zulfiqar Mirza,” Khurram Dastgir said. He added Mirza’s allegations showed deep differences in Bilawal House.
PML-N to submit requisition: Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan directed the members of his party to submit a requisition in the National Assembly Secretariat for calling a session of the lower house to debate the allegations of Zulfiqar Mirza.
Calculated to aggravate: Pakistan Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid said Zulfiqar Mirza’s tirade would aggravate the Karachi situation. MQM senior leader and Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad was among those fostering policy of reconciliation with the PPP, but Zulfiqar Mirza’ attack would damage the MQM-PPP relations, Sheikh Rashid claimed.
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) General Secretary Liaquat Baloch said whenever Zulfiqar Mirza spoke against the MQM, reaction from the other side always remained more furious.
Allegations ‘serious’: PTI Chairman Imran Khan expressed shock over the revelations and accusations made by PPP leader Zulfiqar Mirza who is a close confidant of President Asif Zardari. He said that Mirza’s allegations were of a serious nature. Referring to Mirza’s allegations against Altaf regarding a US plan to dismember Pakistan and Rehman Malik’s protection to target killers, Imran said if both the statements were read jointly, they suggested an element of treason and there should be open judicial inquiry by a Supreme Court Judge into the allegations. He added the allegation of lobbying with the UK leadership for the abolition of the ISI was also of a serious nature. He also sought Rehman Malik’s resignation and demanded President Zardari clarify his position with regard to his relations with Mirza. He also feared this latest attack by Mirza would add fuel to the already highly combustible situation in Karachi.
Clash of interests: Senator Safdar Abbasi said Mirza’s press conference had exposed clash of interests at the provincial and federal levels. He was of the view that Mirza’s allegations would increase tension in the party and the coalition and cast a negative impact on the political spectrum.
He urged the PPP leaders to review their political strategy as maneuvering or manipulation could be beneficial for the time being, but would prove disastrous in the long run. He added Rehman Malik could not do any thing on his own without the approval of President Zardari regarding dialogue with the MQM and action against criminals.
SC must intervene: ANP Senator Haji Adeel said the Supreme Court must call Mirza with the direction to produce all the documents in his possession, which should be made part of the record. When asked about the political impact, Adeel said peace in Karachi was important and his party always wanted peace in the city.
Sindh Awami Tehreek President Ayaz Latif Palejo questioned truthfulness of Mirza’s statement. “Mirza is still in the PPP and claims to be loyal to Asif Zardari and has given no evidence. This is the climax of the same drama the PPP has been playing since long. The PPP should not underestimate collective conscience of Sindhi people. Why did the PPP not arrest the criminals involved in killings and why did Mirza not speak when he was stopped from taking action against them as the interior minister?” Palejo said.
