Though Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has asked provincial ministers not to issue any statements against Dr Zulfiqar Mirza nor reply to his provocations, the differences between Sindh Home Minister Wasan and former home minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza have surfaced in Badin, where their supporters took out rallies in different towns against each other.
The first rally led by Peeroz Shahani was held in Golarchi town of Badin district, where PPP workers while showing support to Mirza, chanted slogans against Wasan, his brother and some other ministers also.
Afterwards, PPP activists came out to organise more rallies in different towns of Badin, including Matli, Danbalo, Tando Ghulam Muhammad, Khorwah, in favour Wasan and against the former Sindh minister.
According to people, these rallies were organised by PPP Badin chapter to remove the stance that Badin is supportive of Mirza’s antics. “The district leadership of PPP wants to show that they are committed to party decisions and not one personality,” they said. The people were of the view that if a line is drawn between PPP and Mirza, the PPP will not support Mirza and he will stand alone. With differences between Mirza and the PPP-led Sindh government rising, District Police Officer (DPO) Ashfaq Khan went on leave for three months and DPS Golarchi and Matli tehsils were also changed on Saturday. These police officers were reportedly loyal to the former home minister.
Another defining moment was that despite being present in Badin, National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza did not attend the video conference held by President Zardari on Friday with elected representatives and administration of Badin to know about relief and rehabilitation in the district after recent flooding. However, independent observers are of the view that if differences between President Zardari and Mirza reach a point of no return, the loser will not be Mirza only.
