ISLAMABAD: Most parties from across the political spectrum commented on former Sindh Senior Minister Zulfiqar Mirza’s remarks against Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), with many calling upon the Supreme Court to take Mirza up on his offer to submit evidence.
“The timing is perfect since the Supreme Court begins a hearing on the violence in Karachi on Monday (today),” said Senator Tariq Azim of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q). “The nation will soon learn who is telling the truth.”
Which element of Mirza’s speech each party chose to focus on seemed to depend upon which side of the political divide they came from.
The Awami National Party (ANP), the party that is one of the MQM’s biggest rivals in Karachi, seemed to be practically giddy at Mirza’s allegations against the MQM.
“Mirza has offered his testimony to the Supreme Court. I think that the court should take him up on his offer and ask him to submit evidence for his allegations,” said Senator Haji Adeel of the ANP.
Adeel pointed to Mirza’s allegations of the MQM’s alleged secessionist tendencies.
“The allegations that Altaf Hussain is a partner of the Americans in conspiracies to break Pakistan are alarming. It is high treason and the president, chief justice and military chief should investigate them.”
Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf leader Imran Khan also chose to focus on the allegations against the MQM, calling them ‘shocking’ and ‘treasonous’ and demanding an investigation.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the largest opposition party in parliament and the ruling PPP’s biggest rival, meanwhile chose to focus on the allegations against the interior minister and called for an investigation against them.
“These were startling revelations. His allegations were so alarming that nobody should try to sweep things under the carpet,” said Senator Mushahidullah Khan, the PML-N spokesperson. “People whom he accused must come forward to prove them wrong. All will have to respond to these accusations.”
However, the party still blamed President Asif Ali Zardari for most of the problems in Karachi.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 29th, 2011.
“The timing is perfect since the Supreme Court begins a hearing on the violence in Karachi on Monday (today),” said Senator Tariq Azim of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q). “The nation will soon learn who is telling the truth.”
Which element of Mirza’s speech each party chose to focus on seemed to depend upon which side of the political divide they came from.
The Awami National Party (ANP), the party that is one of the MQM’s biggest rivals in Karachi, seemed to be practically giddy at Mirza’s allegations against the MQM.
“Mirza has offered his testimony to the Supreme Court. I think that the court should take him up on his offer and ask him to submit evidence for his allegations,” said Senator Haji Adeel of the ANP.
Adeel pointed to Mirza’s allegations of the MQM’s alleged secessionist tendencies.
“The allegations that Altaf Hussain is a partner of the Americans in conspiracies to break Pakistan are alarming. It is high treason and the president, chief justice and military chief should investigate them.”
Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf leader Imran Khan also chose to focus on the allegations against the MQM, calling them ‘shocking’ and ‘treasonous’ and demanding an investigation.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the largest opposition party in parliament and the ruling PPP’s biggest rival, meanwhile chose to focus on the allegations against the interior minister and called for an investigation against them.
“These were startling revelations. His allegations were so alarming that nobody should try to sweep things under the carpet,” said Senator Mushahidullah Khan, the PML-N spokesperson. “People whom he accused must come forward to prove them wrong. All will have to respond to these accusations.”
However, the party still blamed President Asif Ali Zardari for most of the problems in Karachi.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 29th, 2011.