Attempts are being made to find a method in Zulfiqar Mirza’s madness. It has been suggested that the PPP stalwart’s tirade against the MQM and Rehman Malik is part of a well thought out plan by Zardari. Jalal Mahmud Shah believes that the move is aimed at taking the wind out of the Sindhi nationalists’ sails. Some wonder if it is a move to expose and weaken the MQM to finally either get rid of it or to negotiate with it from a position of strength.
There are indications that support the view that the outbursts may not be an altogether spontaneous overflow of powerful emotions. Mirza’s resignation from the party and government posts was accepted post haste but not the one from the Sindh Assembly seat.
Speaker Nisar Khuhro was present at the meeting where it was decided to take disciplinary action against Mirza but his resignation from the Assembly was not even mentioned. Zardari also decided to let Fehmida Mirza retain the post of Speaker National Assembly. The action taken against Mirza was on grounds of discipline alone. The party however did not deny the serious charges he had levelled against Altaf Hussain and his party.
None in the nationalist camp is willing to take Mirza seriously. There is a widespread perception that he could go back any time on whatever he had said. Loyalty to Zardari is more important for the fire eating former senior minister than anything else. He reiterates his allegiance to the party and its chief at every press conference. A day before Eid, he told the media that those who criticise the president should consider Mirza as their enemy. He has been repeatedly asked why he does not blame Zardari for pursuing a policy of reconciliation with those he considers responsible for hundreds of killings in Karachi and who according to him are trying to break up the country; he has failed to offer any explanation. When pressed again and again, he hints at Zardari having been misled and blackmailed. This would satisfy few. The PPP leadership has to bear the blame for allowing the killings to continue to please the MQM.
Meanwhile, Mirza is continuing the tirade against the MQM and Rehman Malik. After the marathon press conference in Karachi, he has spoken at Hyderabad and Badin. MQM was again and again accused of being involved in target killing, extortion and of pursuing an anti-state agenda while Rehman Malik was accused of being hand in glove with the party.
The successful strike by the nationalist parties stopped the tying of the knot between the PPP and the MQM for the time being. Whatever Mirza’s intentions, his outbursts have further delayed the return of the ethnic outfit to the ruling coalition.
What would have happened if the nationalist parties had not initiated a Sindh-wide campaign against the dual local government system followed by a successful strike against the imposition of the Zia-era local government system?
The government would have imposed two systems on Sindh, one for Karachi and Hyderabad and the other for rural Sindh, thus, laying the foundation of the division of Sindh that remains MQM’s ideal. During the period, important Sindhi ministers were holding Iftar parties with the MQM leaders and had vowed to offer the Eid prayers together with them. The agitation by the nationalists put a spanner in the works.
When the plan envisaging the dual system was replaced with the Musharraf-era LG system, the idea was to hasten the MQM’s joining of the cabinet. The successful strike by the nationalist parties once again delayed the return of the MQM to the government’s fold. In the absence of the province-wide agitation and the strike, Sindhi legislators would have blindly supported any LG legislation okayed by Zardari.
As things stand, no one can ignore the threat of crowds storming the provincial assembly in case it tries to pass a bill that compromises the Sindhis’ interests. The credit goes to the nationalists for foiling the plan prepared by Babar Awan and Ishratul Ibad and approved by Zardari. It was because of the strike that the second plan, which was equally harmful for Sindh, has yet not been brought before the provincial assembly.
Zulfiqar Mirza’s campaign against the MQM has really hurt the party. Before Mirza initiated the tirade, speaking against Altaf Hussain by name was a taboo in Sindh except for some of the nationalist parties. The attack has sent Altaf Hussain to hospital while the MQM has failed to challenge Mirza on facts. Meanwhile, it is for the first time the party is on the defensive.
While Mirza has put the MQM in a tight corner, he has also raised questions about PPP leadership’s own policies. Why has Zardari been insisting on keeping the MQM in the coalition even after the highly damaging evidence presented by Mirza? And how come Rehman Malik was given the top most civilian award despite warnings by Sindh’s senior minister that the man was directly responsible for the killings that have taken place during the last three years in Karachi?
The writer is a former academic and a political analyst.
Mirza has achieved something which other so called brave leaders would not even imagine to do that. Credit must be given to ZM for breaking a taboo. The media which was in shackles of MQM thugs have now gathered courage to telecast uncensored statements.
Whether Asif Zardari was aware of ZM's crusade against thugs of MQM is now of secondary importance. The main thing is that ZM has unnerved Altaf Hussain which is one factor but the other factor of his so called illness is breakthrough by the Scotland Yard in investigation in the murder case of Imran Farooq.
Altaf Hussain was hell and hearty and thundering in his telephone speeches to his disciples in Karachi only two weeks ago and suddenly he collapsed and had to be admitted as an emergency case in one of the London Hospitals. Why can't MQM issue a picture of him being bed ridden with intravenous fluids running into his body?
Mirza has achieved something which other so called brave leaders would not even imagine to do that. Credit must be given to ZM for breaking a taboo. The media which was in shackles of MQM thugs have now gathered courage to telecast uncensored statements.
Whether Asif Zardari was aware of ZM's crusade against thugs of MQM is now of secondary importance. The main thing is that ZM has unnerved Altaf Hussain which is one factor but the other factor of his so called illness is breakthrough by the Scotland Yard in investigation in the murder case of Imran Farooq.
Altaf Hussain was hell and hearty and thundering in his telephone speeches to his disciples in Karachi only two weeks ago and suddenly he collapsed and had to be admitted as an emergency case in one of the London Hospitals. Why can't MQM issue a picture of him being bed ridden with intravenous fluids running into his body?
You would have noticed that the ready made statements are being published in the papers and tickers are shown on TV about the telephone calls to the International Secretariat to find out how he was, Please note that none of the telephone calles are responded by him. This is rather bizzare. WHERE IS HE? MAY BE HE IS HELPING POLICE WHICH IS A POLITE TERM USED IN THIS COUNTRY WHEN SOMEONE IS ARRESTED AND TAKEN TO THE POLICE STATION. I sincerely hope this might be the case if peace in Karachi is to return on permanent basis.
WHERE IS ALTAF HUSSAIN, FOR HOW LONG MQM WILL HIDE THE FACTS.
IS HE UNDER SURVEILLANCE OF BRITISH POLICE?
Mirza is going at right track every party in Karachi has his own armed wing and controling diffrent parts of the city. Karachi need another Naseer ullah Baber to restore worst peace situation in Pakistan political and cultural hub Karachi. Only cosmetics steps and speehs by Rahman Malik and Prime Minister cant bring any change in city. In Ramadan 186 more peopole lost their lives and target killers are still at large. No one can beleive this false theory some one coming from out side and killing Karachicities. Most of affected areas are strong hold of Muttahida Qumi movement, ANP and Peopls peace commitee and event police and rangers cant enter in these areas. Untill and unless government is not ready to face realities and arrest all criminal without distinguishing of political affiliation dream of peace cant come true in Karachi.
MQM was declared a terrorist party by a court in Canada in 2002.
The British government has to reconsider its policy of supporting Altaf Hussain, This is bringing disrepute to the British government which is unwittingly approving clandestine activities of Altaf Hussain from London where there is a rule of law.
I hate to say but the very heading containing the word 'histrionic' is not appropriate. Dr Zulfiqar Mirza may have expressed mindless chatter in the past but recent press conference holding Quran is definitely not histrionic. The word histrionic in dictionary means
1. dramatic representation; theatricals; acting.
2.behavior or speech for effect, as insincere or exaggerated expression of an emotion; dramatics; operatics:
None of the above apply to historic ZM's press conference.
Zulfiqar Mirza allegations against MQM is apressure tactic to force MQM back in government, it is obvious that Zulfiqar Mirza is part of plan of balqanization of Pakistan he is pushing Karachi and sindh towards civil war and anarchy which will result in International or NATO forces in Karachi. Karachiis the main supply route of NATO to Afghanistan. Army and ISI both knows the plan well, MQM in last few years completely cooperate with Army and ISI and stood firm with Army and ISI on Kerry Lugar bill which restricted Pakistan Army aid where as PPP and Zardari with US worked together to stop military aid to Pakistan. The things are not what anyone see in politics there is so much behind the curtains. Anyone who hate MQM could hails Mirza but in reality they would becoming party of conspiracy against Pakistan.
Is this the same Zulfiqar Mirza who said we wanted to break Pakistan? We went out to break Pakistan?
@Sabih Yusfi.
The situation is such now that MQM will want itself back in the government. The MQM has always been in the power and had protection of the state when it was also indulging in terrorist activities. Zulfikar Mirza is not a part of plan of Balkanisation, Sindh is no Yogoslavia and Zulfiqar is no Milosovic. The NATO forces have a route not because of MQM but because of Pakistan's commitment to war against terrorism.
The problem here is thuggish activities of Altaf Hussain and his fascist grip on the MQM. The MQM goebbels' can not throw the dust in the eyes of the world by diverting the attention of target killings, extortiion, blackmailing and money laundering. What Zulfikar Mirza has said about Altaf was a taboo but not any more. Zulfikar Mirza has broken the myth of Altaf's invincibility.
Can Sabih Yousfi tell the world, if claims to be so knowledgable, that what has happened to Altaf Hussain and where is he at present. What could have happened to him to get him admitted as an emergency case in one of the many London Hospitals. Is he really in a hospital or he is under detention and has been asked not to spread venom through his telephone speeches.
@Sabih Yusfi.
The situation is such now that MQM will want itself back in the government. The MQM has always been in the power and had protection of the state when it was also indulging in terrorist activities. Zulfikar Mirza is not a part of plan of Balkanisation, Sindh is no Yogoslavia and Zulfiqar is no Milosovic. The NATO forces have a route not because of MQM but because of Pakistan's commitment to war against terrorism.
The problem here is thuggish activities of Altaf Hussain and his fascist grip on the MQM. The MQM goebbels' can not throw the dust in the eyes of the world by diverting the attention of target killings, extortiion, blackmailing and money laundering. What Zulfikar Mirza has said about Altaf was a taboo but not any more. Zulfikar Mirza has broken the myth of Altaf's invincibility.
@Sabih Yusfi
Can Sabih Yousfi tell the world, if claims to be so knowledgable, that what has happened to Altaf Hussain and where is he at present. What could have happened to him to get him admitted as an emergency case in one of the many London Hospitals. Is he really in a hospital or he is under detention and has been asked not to spread venom through his telephone speeches.
Can Sabih Yousfi tell the world, if claims to be so knowledgable, that what has happened to Altaf Hussain and where is he at present.
What could have happened to Altaf to get himself admitted as an emergency case in one of the many London Hospitals. Is he really in a hospital or he is under detention and has been asked not to spread venom through his telephone speeches.
all the blaming persons belongs to united kingdom are spreading hate and rumors please wait and see whats going on, Is they all belongs to united kingdom why not says truths if they knows where is Mr Altaf hussain in London?? if don't so please try to know and for the sack of Pakistan don't spreed rumors please, first investigate the truths and then send to our depressed Nation. please be cool. and send us truths not speculations and your own dreams. Our country makes by a dream but we are not have a nice dream.
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