Mirza calls Altaf Hussain '100 times bigger criminal' than Afaq Ahmed

Zulfiqar Mirza
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia













Zulfiqar Mirza is a prominent Sindhi politician of Pakistan affiliated with Pakistan Peoples Party.

Zulfiqar Mirza hails from a Sindhi-speaking Shia political family in Sindh, the Qazis of Sindh. The Qazis of Hyderabad themselves are Sunni but have intermarraiges with the Sindhi Mirza Shia tribe.

Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza is married to Dr. Fahmida Mirza who was elected as the first female Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan on March 19, 2008.[1] She is also the first female parliamentary speaker in the Muslim world. Zulfiqar Mirza is currently member of Provincial Assembly of Sindh and was Home Minister of Sindh till June 2011. He acquired his secondary education at Cadet College Petaro in the late 1960s. He is currently serving in capacity of Minister for Jails and prisons.



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Fahmida Mirza
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dr. Fahmida Mirza
فہمیدہ مرزا

Dr. Fahmida Mirza
18th Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan
Incumbent
Assumed office
March 19, 2008
President Asif Ali Zardari
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani
Preceded by Chaudhry Amir Hussain
Personal details
Born December 20, 1956 (age 54)
Badin, Sindh
Political party Pakistan Peoples Party
Spouse(s) Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza
Religion Islam
Pakistan


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Dr. Fahmida Mirza (Urdu: فہمیدہ مرزا), sometimes also spelled as Fehmida Mirza (born December 20, 1956), is a medical doctor, agriculturist and businesswoman from Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan who was elected as the first female Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan on March 19, 2008.[1] She is also the first female parliamentary speaker in the Muslim world.[2]

She has been elected to Parliament for three consecutive terms in 1997, 2002 and 2008 as MNA from Badin, in Sindh. Dr. Mirza graduated with a medical degree from Liaquat Medical College, Jamshoro, Sindh, in 1982 and did her house job in gynaecology and paediatrics.


Fahmida Mirza hails from a Sindhi-speaking Muslim political family in Sindh, the Qazis of Sindh. Her grandfather, Qazi Abdul Qayyum, was the first Muslim president of Hyderabad (Latifabad) Sindh Municipality. Her father, Qazi Abdul Majeed Abid (Qazi Abid) held different ministries in the provincial (Sindh) and federal cabinets from 1982 to 1990 including Provincial Minister for Communication, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture, Federal Minister for Education, and Federal Minister for Water and Power. Her Uncle, Qazi Mohammad Akbar, was also a long serving Provincial Minister in Sindh, including serving as Provincial Home Minister.

Mirza is the aunt of Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq, a three time Provincial Sindh Minister and current member and leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party in the Sindh Provincial Assembly, who is related to the influential Sindhi political family through his mother. Pir Mazhar is currently the Senior Minister in the Sindh Cabinet with the portfolio of Education.
[edit] Career

She was trained as a doctor at Liaquat Medical College, Jamshoro, Sindh, in 1982. Before entering politics, Dr. Fahmida Mirza ran an advertising agency Informachine, later renamed Information Communication Limited (ICL). In 1997 she contested elections successfully from her husband's former constituency of Badin, Sindh, and has continued to be a parliamentarian since then. She is one of the few women elected from a non-reserved constituency.
[edit] Personal life

Dr. Mirza is married to Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza, a close friend of Asif Ali Zardari, the co-chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party. Both her husband and her brother, the renowned journalist, Qazi Asad Abid, are former Members of the National Assembly.[3] Zulfikar Mirza is also currently a member of the Sindh Provincial Assembly and was former Provincial Home Minister.


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Pir Mazhar Ul Haq
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pir Mazhar Ul Haq (Urdu: پیر مظہر الحق ) is a politician in Pakistan who is considered one of the most loyal members of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) having offered many sacrifices for the party. He has faced jail and exile as a result of the political victimization campaigns run by those governments who were brought in power (directly or indirectly) by the military dictators but he never compromised on principles. He joined the PPP when other activists had started jumping off the PPP ship after the imposition of Gen Zia's martial law.

During the PPP governments in 1988 and 1993, Pir Mazhar was inducted as minister for housing and town planning, and law and parliamentary affairs. He is currently the Parliamentary leader of Pakistan Peoples Party in Sindh Assembly, a member of the Central Executive Committee of Pakistan Peoples Party and the Senior Minister in the Sindh Provincial Government, holding the portfolios of Education, Literacy and Criminal Prosecution Service.

Pir Mazhar Ul Haq was first elected to the Sindh Assembly from PS-74 Dadu-IV in Dadu, Sind, Pakistan in 1988 and has continued winning all the elections he has contested since then from this constituency.

He belongs to the spiritual family of Bhan Saeedabad who are decendants of Makhdoom Moosa, the 5th son of Hazrat Makhdoom Sarwar Nooh (this is a branch of the Makhdoom family of Hala which is currently headed by Makhdoom Amin Fahim).

This is one of the most politically influential families of Sindh. His Paternal Grandfather was Pir Ilahi Bux who served as a Chief Minister of Sindh and remained minister for 10 years holding the portfolio of Education. His Maternal Grandfather was Qazi Akbar who was one of the longest serving provincial minister in Sindh holding several portfolios including the Home department. His Aunt (Qazi Akbar's niece) is Fahmida Mirza who is currently serving as the Speaker of the Natiional Assembly of Pakistan. His Uncle is Zulfiqar Mirza who is also Fahmida Mirza's husband is currently serving as the Home Minister of Sindh. His Daughter Marvi Mazhar contested in the 2002 general Elections from Dadu constituency and got elected as the first women member of parliament to be elected from Dadu District. His Son in Law is Jam Ikram Dharejo who got elected as a member of parliament (MPA) by defeating the Mahers of Ghotki (also one of the powerful political and tribal families of Sindh).

He is also the great nephew of Qazi Abdul Majeed Abid, who has held numerous Federal Ministries, including Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, and Federal Minister for Water and Power.

He is an articulate lawyer and if he had not jumped into politics, he would have been among the top lawyers of the country.

He is considered as one of the closest aides to the Late Benazir Bhutto and her husband (current President of Pakistan) Asif Ali Zardari. During his more than three decades of association with the PPP, he suffered incarceration in 15 prisons (including the dreaded Machh Jail), Torture, kidnapping, and Exile but he steadfastly clung to the party and did not succumb to any pressure put on him to change his loyalties.

His eldest son Barrister Pir Mujeeb Ul Haq is a office bearer of the Pakistan Peoples Party in Dadu District and has his own Law practice with the name of P.I.B. Law Associates having chambers in Karachi, Hyderabad and Dadu.

His second son Pir Danish Ali is currently serving as the Director and Senior Advisor (Government Relations Department) of Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC).

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By Sohail Khattak
Published: July 14, 2011

Former home minister admits he has had meetings with MQM-H leader Afaq Ahmed.

KARACHI: Sindh Senior minister Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza has said that Afaq Ahmed is the real leader of the Urdu speaking people and he is the second biggest political prisoner after Asif Ali Zardari.

He was addressing the media at a dinner arranged by Awami National Party’s Sindh chief Shahi Syed’s residence, Mardan house here on Wednesday.

Mirza said that “if someone says that Afaq Ahmed is a criminal and a murderer, then I will say Altaf Hussain is a 100-times bigger criminal than Afaq.”

He said that he had met with Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqeeqi Chief Afaq Ahmed twice and that Ahmed was the real leader of the Urdu-speaking community. “The first time I met with Ahmed was when Dr Ishratul Ibad was still the governor and he pressured me not to reveal my meeting with Ahmed. I told Dr Ibad that I had to meet Ahmed since I am their minister”.

Mirza said that Ahmed was facing jail time without being convicted of a crime.

He said that he will continue his fight against criminals, murderers, and extortionist as long as he was alive.

Talking about calls for the division of Sindh, Mirza said that no one had the courage to divide Sindh. He said “I appeal to the people of Karachi and Hyderabad to get rid of these people (who are asking for Karachi to be made a separate province)”.

The former Home Minister of Sindh said that many statements using his name were circulating in the press and today he would clarify truth from fiction.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and the acting Governor of the province, Nisar Koro also spoke at the occasion. Both of them congratulated the people of Sindh and members of the provincial assembly for passing a bill to bring back the commissionarete system in the province.

Qaim ali Shah said that the bill had been passed following proper democratic procedure in the assembly and reflected the wishes of the people of Sindh.

He said “the commissionerate system had been implemented in all the provinces of the country however, the people of Sindh had been waiting for the system to be implemented in Sindh for the past two years. We were not bringing the system as our partners had been objecting to it hence the delay.”

Talking about the local bodies election Shah said that local bodies election are a democratic process and the PPP believed in it, however they will be held in accordance with situation in the province.

Shah also said that local bodies elections will no longer be conducted according the 2001 local government ordinance because there were coalition partners who did not like the local bodies to be held under that law. “We have revived the 1979 system as new law for the local bodies election and this new law could also be amended,” Shah added.

Zardari takes notice of Mirza’s statements

The Presidency issued a statement distancing itself from Zulfiqar Mirza’s outburst following a dinner meeting with the ANP.

According to reports, the Presidency said that Mirza’s statements did not reflect party policy.

President Zardari has also taken a strict notice of Zulfiqar Mirza’s statements and speaking to Dr Ishratul Ibad over the phone, Zardari said that he respects Altaf Hussain and has ordered an answer from CM Sindh within 24 hours.

Dr Ishrat said that Mirza was inciting hatred among the people of Sindh and termed the former Sindh Home Minister’s statements “hate-speech”.

On the other hand PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira has said that Zulfiqar mirza had given a statement in his individual capacity and it does not represent PPP’s stance. Qamar Zaman also said that they respected MQM’s mandate and had respect for MQM chief Altaf Hussain.

Hyderabad Traders union has announced city wide strike on thursday against Zulfiqar mirza’s Statement.

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MQM condemns Mirza's 'slanderous' statements
Published: July 14, 2011

Dr Ishratul Ebad said millions of supporters of MQM's chief Altaf Hussain have been hurt by Zulfiqar Mirza's "slanderous" statements. PHOTO: APP/FILE

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Ishratul Ebad termed former Sindh Home Minister and PPP leader Zulfiqar Mirza’s statements as hate speech.

Dr Ishrat said millions of supporters of MQM’s chief Altaf Hussain have been hurt by Zulfiqar Mirza’s “slanderous” statements.

Dr Ishrat further said, Zulfiqar Mirza is inciting hate among the people of Sindh.

Karachi’s former nazim, Mustafa Kamal told Express 24/7 that the statements coming from the PPP leaders are indicative of the intentions of their party.

PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira distanced his party from Mirza’s statements and said that the PPP respects MQM’s chief Altaf Hussain and his mandate.

President Asif Ali Zardari also took note of Mirza’s statements and asked Sindh’s chief minister Qaim Ali Shah to look into the matter and report back in 24-hours.

Meanwhile, avid supporters of MQM have also registered their protest as the Hyderabad Traders Union announced a city-wide strike for today.

MQM protest in Lahore

MQM supporters in Lahore have condemned Zulfiqar Mirza’s statement regarding their party chief.

The protesters burnt tires overnight and blocked Ferozpur Road.

Provoked by Mirza’s statements, activists staged a protest near the Muslim Town junction of Ferozpur Road.

Protestors termed Zulfiqar Mirza’s statements to be inflamatory and intolerable.

Fuming over verbal attacks on MQM’s chief Altaf Hussain, the protestors raised slogans against President Zardari and Mirza alike.

Member of MQM’s coordination committee, Iftikhar Randhawa has raised plead Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry to take note of PPP’s attempts at creating rifts between the nation.

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A province stoked: Mirza’s diatribe against MQM fuels tension in Sindh
By Hafeez Tunio / Sohail Khattak
Published: July 14, 2011

Zulfiqar Mirza says Altaf Hussain is a '100 times bigger criminal' than MQM-H leader Afaq Ahmed. PHOTO: APP/FILE
KARACHI:

What started off as a legislative dispute on Wednesday, devolved into a full-scale exchange between the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and their former coalition allies, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). And before the night was over, Karachi was once again caught in the crossfire.

Intense aerial firing, burnt buses and panic once again were the order of the day, with at least on dead. However, this bout, it seems, is not restricted to Karachi.

Reports of violence came in from Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur and even Shikarpur.

Sindh Senior Minister Zulfiqar Mirza’s latest diatribe first stoked the flames by unleashing yet another rant against the MQM leadership – this time taking it up a notch by referring to the leader of a breakaway MQM as “the true leader of muhajirs” and accusing the MQM of trying to divide Sindh.

“If [MQM-Haqiqi leader] Afaq Ahmed is a criminal, then [MQM leader] Altaf Hussain is 100-times a bigger criminal,” bellowed Mirza. “Afaq is the second-biggest political prisoner in Pakistan after President Asif Ali Zardari.”

Mirza’s diatribe called on the people of Karachi and Hyderabad, the MQM’s electoral strongholds, to stop supporting the party. “I call upon the people of Karachi and Hyderabad to get rid of these lowlifes,” said Mirza. “For as long as I am alive, I will continue to work against criminals, target killers, and extortionists.”

“This province was here for centuries before you [Urdu-speaking migrants] came to this city hungry and naked [after Partition in 1947],” said Mirza. “You will divide Sindh over my dead body.”

Mirza made the remarks at a dinner hosted by Awami National Party (ANP) leader Shahi Syed. Interestingly, when Mirza first came forward to speak to the media, Syed attempted to stop him – and, once unable, requested the media ‘to not ask sensitive questions’.

When Mirza was at the zenith of his diatribe, fellow PPP leader and Local Bodies Minister Agha Siraj Durrani came forward and literally dragged him away from the podium. Syed later angrily asked the media if they were “satisfied” that the questions and responses had resulted in a ‘ruined evening’.

Mirza’s rant sparked an almost instant outburst of violent protests throughout Karachi, with aerial gunfire heard in nearly every part of the city. At least one woman was reported killed and six injured as a result of the gunfire. At least six vehicles were set on fire by protestors who also burnt tires in the streets.

Protestors also burnt effigies of Zulfiqar Mirza. Most businesses that were still open around midnight shut down within a few minutes.

Meanwhile, the PPP leadership almost instantly distanced itself from Mirza’s incendiary remarks. President Asif Ali Zardari was reported to have “taken notice” of Mirza’s statements. The party’s spokesperson, Qamar Zaman Kaira, said that Mirza’s remarks were his own personal opinion and not that of the PPP, nor did they reflect PPP policy.

Earlier in the day, the Sindh Assembly passed the three ordinances that had been promulgated by acting Governor Nisar Ahmed Khuhro on July 9.

The first of these was the repeal of the Sindh Local Government Ordinance 2001, which meant that the previous law – the Zia-era law from 1979 – became effective once again. The second was a repeal of the Police Order of 2002, which then reverted the law back to the colonial-era Police Act of 1861. The final was an amendment to the Sindh Land Revenue Act that brought back the commissionerate system.

The MQM members of the Sindh Assembly protested loudly throughout the proceedings, tearing up their copies of the bill and not partaking in the floor debate. The PPP has a majority in the provincial legislature and can single-handedly pass most legislation.

In fact, the MQM legislators were so occupied with their protest that they seemed not to notice when the government brought up a bill to move control of higher secondary education boards from the governor to the chief minister. The bill had passed in 2008 but had been sent back by then-Governor Ishratul Ibad of the MQM. The MQM’s protest drowned out the former governor’s dissenting note, which was read out in the assembly after having been sent there by his successor, the PPP’s Khuhro.

At a press conference after the session, MQM’s deputy parliamentary leader in the Sindh Assembly Faisal Subzwari called July 13 a “black day”, in sharp contrast to the description used by some PPP leaders: “a great and historic day”.

“This is not British rule and we cannot tolerate this kind of dictatorial approach,” said Subzwari.

Subzwari accused the PPP of transferring prisoners affiliated with the MQM to rural parts of Sindh in order to torture them. “This is not 1990s when our people were assassinated in extra judicial killings. We will not bow before government’s undemocratic attitude and continue to speak out for democracy,” he said.

Sindh Education Minister Pir Mazharul Haq, a senior PPP leader, meanwhile said that the MQM harmed their own and their constituents interests by not partaking in the debate in the Sindh Assembly.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14th, 2011.