The first major casualty of openly supporting outspoken former Sindh home minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza has fallen in the form Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Sindh Assembly member Imdad Pitafi’s suspension from the basic party membership. Pitafi and Sindh information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon had left on the same flight to London with the former provincial minister, who proceeded to London ‘for providing evidence against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain to British authorities’. On the local front, the MQM – PPP’s major coalition government partner – had strongly objected to the matter. At a press conference at the Chief Minister’s House on Thursday, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah – also the PPP’s provincial president – announced the suspension of basic party membership of MPA Pitafi for accompanying Mirza on the his visit to London.
Regarding Sharjeel Memon, he said that President Asif Zardari has called him to Islamabad on Friday and the PPP co-chairman would decide about any action against him. Shah said that Mirza has no relation with the PPP and the party condemns his statements against the MQM. “Mirza has also criticised the president on several occasions and his statements should not be considered as party policy.” The MQM is a strong ally of PPP and both parties will contest the forthcoming general elections jointly, the chief minister said. “Being the provincial president of the party, I have already issued warnings to lawmakers close with Mirza to stand away from him,” he said. “The suspension of Pitafi’s membership is a notice to others also.”
Shah was of the view that the MPAs cannot be restrained from having social contacts with anybody, as even political opponents have social relationships. “But political relationship with Mirza will not be tolerated.” Responding to a question, the PPP leader denied the presence of a forward block in the PPP. “The party is together and intact.” When asked about Mirza’s claim that he has taken documentary evidence to London against MQM, the chief minister said that nobody has the right to take away [official] documents with him after quitting the government. Earlier, cutting short his London visit, Memon returned to Karachi on Thursday and said that he had not gone with Mirza but “on a personal visit”.
“I went to London in personal capacity,” the information minister said while talking to journalists at the Karachi airport on his arrival.
Despite this, he added, he was responsible towards the PPP and will accept any decision the party takes about him. “I am ready to quit the ministry if I am ordered to.” At the same time, he also defended Pitafi, saying that he did not go with Mirza but had gone beyond London with his family. “[Pitafi’s] visit should not be connected with Mirza’s.” Later, Memon left for Islamabad to meet the President.
