An anonymous group – Ahliyan-e-Karachi (residents of Karachi) – staged a protest rally on Monday against former Sindh home minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza for trying to disturb the law and order situation of the city.
Even as the rally was not owned by any political party, it was led by elected representatives of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). A large number of people – carrying placards inscribed with strong words against Mirza – gathered in front of the Karachi Press Club (KPC) and chanted slogans, including abusive words, against the recent outbursts of the former minister.
Some posters at the rally even had illustrations of Mirza as different animals and dancing girls.
The main roads leading to the KPC remained blocked for several hours as the protesters demanded that the Chief Justice of Pakistan takes suo motu action against Mirza.
Meanwhile, MQM’s deputy parliamentary leader, Faisal Subzwari, stopped short of naming who was pulling the strings behind Mirza and claimed that all issues with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have been settled.
“Mirza wants to disturb peace in Karachi and his party leadership should take notice of his provocative statements,” he said, while talking to journalists after attending a parliamentary party meeting held at the Sindh Assembly building on Monday. “Under whose directions is Mirza continuing with provocative statements when the president has restrained him from issuing statements,” Subzwari said. “The PPP leaders should better respond to the allegations being levelled by Mirza.”
Demanding the Supreme Court to take notice of the former minister’s patronisation of People’s Amn Committee (PAC), the MQM leader said that PAC was involved in killing MQM workers and was banned under President Asif Ali Zardari’s directives.