Though no one from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has yet come forward to openly back the “emotional” Mirza’s tirade against the government’s “trouble-shooter” Rehman Malik – apparently due to fears of President Zardari – a large number of PPP parliamentarians and die-hard workers feel amused over Malik’s bashing by none other than Zardari’s “pet friend”.
A number of PPP parliamentarians along with other lawmakers from PPP’s coalition partners including the PML-Q, the ANP have been criticising the interior minister in the past, in the house and on media, for his “inefficiency and insincerity” to deal with country’s internal security challenges, however no voice of concern from any circle could succeed in dislodging Malik from his powerful office. In a recent cabinet meeting, Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, federal minister from the PML-Q, raised questions on the credentials and capabilities of the interior minister besides criticizing government’s decision of decorating Malik with highest civil award Nishan-e-Imtiaz.
There has always been a natural and justified jealousy among PPP veteran workers and leaders towards Malik and Babar Awan for their success in climbing the stairs of success swiftly under Zardari’s patronage and every one of them, either in private sittings or in public, spared no opportunity to assail the duo since Benazir Bhutto’s assassination in December 2007.
The criticism by branded leaders of the PPP always proved a blessing in disguise for Malik, as every time someone from the ruling PPP or opposition parties took interior minister to task, Zardari bestowed more favours on him. The climax of PPP co-chairperson’s fondness towards Malik was witnessed recently when he conferred the highest civil award Nishan-e-Imtaz on the man named “compulsive liar” by Zulfiqar Mirza.
Mirza said that had there been any university to teach how to tell lies, Malik would have been its vice-chancellor. It is pertinent to mention here that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had dubbed Malik as “inspector general of liars” during judges’ restoration movement in 2009. Punjab government has been also accusing Rehman Malik for non-passing of intelligence reports regarding terrorism to PML-N-ruled province in time.
The serious allegations levelled against Malik by Mirza, such as his claim that Malik is the biggest enemy of Pakistan, have also caused a severe setback to PPP government, particularly President Zardari, who is considered the “source of power” for former FIA man. The PPP circles claim that after Mirza’s “trenchant diatribe against energetic interior minister” it would practically become tough for Gilani to tolerate him as his cabinet member. The PPP parliamentarians argue that those men who lack track of sacrifices and contributions for the Bhutto’s party have no right on key government positions.
Some of PPP parliamentarians and Gilani’s cabinet members claim that Malik is also not in good books of the premier. They say that Mirza’s serious charges on Malik have provided a golden opportunity to Gilani to either sack or change portfolio of interior minister as to continue with Malik on the same position will ultimately put a big question mark on government’s credibility.
Khurram Dastgir Khan, PPP MNA and deputy information secretary, said that Mirza’s allegations against Malik had confirmed concerns of the PML-N and other sections of the society regarding the suspicious role of interior minister. “We along with other parliamentarians from almost all political parties have been demanding Malik’s resignation but the government paid no heed to our calls,” he said, adding that Zulfiqar Mirza’s revelations about Malik has caused a severe blow to the credibility of the president as well as the prime minister’s government. He said everyone in the country wanted to explore the mysterious factor behind Malik’s stay in power.
