City-wide demonstrations were held against the remarks of Sindh Senior Minister Zulfiqar Mirza against MQM leadership, here Thursday. The city saw widespread protests after it descended into violence Wednesday night following Mirza's diatribe against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and its leadership at ANP function, shown by TV channels.
Tension gripped the economic hub of the country.
The MQM activists burnt effigies of Zulfiqar Mirza and blocked roads in various parts of city. The demos were held at Liaquatabad, Burns Road, Saddar, Landhi, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Sakhi Hassan, Maskan, Gulistan-e-Johar, PIB Colony and Lines Area. Member of MQM Co-ordination Committee, Iftikhar Randhawa urged Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry to take note of what he called the PPP's attempt to create rift between Sindhis and Mohajirs.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by a spokesman of Zulfiqar Mirza said the remarks were Mirza's personal views and if they have hurt the feelings of anyone, Mirza apologises for that. "Urdu-speaking people are our brothers. They have offered sacrifices for the country," the statement added. However, Mohajir Rabita Council (MRC) has rejected the apologies offered by Senior Minister Zulfiqar Mirza and Interior Minister Rehman Malik.
MRC at a meeting asked President Asif Zardari to expel Zulfiqar Mirza from the party. The council asked Mirza to appear on media and apologise to MQM. Meanwhile, MQM Quaid Altaf Hussain on Thursday evening appealed to people to stay cool and end their peaceful demonstrations. Hussain said that people have recorded their protest against the filthy language used by a senior PPP minister against the children of the founders of the country. He also thanked journalists and media for broadcasting reports based on facts and reality.