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This is an archive article published on September 3, 2011
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Opinion Fighting over Karachi

A register of reports and views from the Pakistan press.

indianexpress

Ruchika Talwar

September 3, 2011 12:35 AM IST First published on: Sep 3, 2011 at 12:35 AM IST

Fighting over Karachi

Sindh home minister and PPP stalwart,Zulfiqar Mirza,launched into a tirade directed at his party colleague,federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik — as well as at MQM leader Altaf Hussain — Daily Times reported on August 29. While placing a copy of the Quran on his head and swearing by it,Mirza declared “federal interior minister Rehman Malik a ‘compulsive liar’ and accused Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain of being part of a conspiracy to disintegrate Pakistan. Mirza said he had evidence that Malik was ‘involved’ in Karachi target killings and was ‘hand in glove with criminals’. He said that he would forward evidence against Malik to the government,the army and the intelligence agencies if the need arises.” He also added that he had “repeatedly” told the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadership that Malik is a “liar,” but acknowledged he was a “good politician and good human being,” and that “if Pakistan is harmed in the future,it will be Malik’s fault.” He also charged the MQM with killing Geo TV reporter Wali Khan Babar earlier this year.

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The MQM was quick to respond,a report in The News stated: “The MQM Coordination Committee said it was because of Mirza’s patronage of killers,terrorists,extortionists and kidnappers that he kept silent when the Rangers carried out an operation in parts of Karachi,except Lyari.” Lyari is the PPP’s traditional pocket borough. Malik,however,appeared calm,as Daily Times quoted him as saying that Mirza was “just like his younger brother” and that he did not mind his statements,which were issued “in a state of anger”. The News reported that soon after Mirza’s press conference,he resigned as minister,vice-president of the Sindh PPP,and as a member of the provincial assembly; and that “in an equally surprising development,his resignation was accepted ‘exceptionally promptly’ by the Sindh CM.” President Asif Zardari,on the other hand,also suspended his basic membership of the PPP.

The PPP disowned Mirza’s remarks in a meeting convened by Zardari. Daily Times reported on August 30: “A meeting of PPP leaders from Sindh was held in the Presidency during which the party… termed Mirza’s accusations as an unacceptable violation of party discipline,and contrary to the well-thought out policy of reconciliation as envisaged by Benazir Bhutto.”

The News also reported that National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza constituted a 17-member special parliamentary committee to review matters of security in Karachi and Quetta. The committee has been tasked to present its report in 60 days to the speaker. Interestingly,Fehmida Mirza is Zulfiqar Mirza’s wife.

Suo motu

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Pakistan’s chief justice has expressed dissatisfaction over the investigation reports submitted by the government in the suo motu case on the Karachi violence. The News reported on August 30 that Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry “observed that the law and order situation in the metropolis could not be controlled until the city was made an ‘arms free zone’.” He also directed the attorney general to produce reports from intelligence agencies over the unrest,in the absence of which the court can’t reach any conclusion. The Supreme Court also took suo motu notice of the violation of fundamental rights of citizens,including the right to life and to freedom of movement.