Embittered Mirza resigns, flays Malik and MQM

The inevitable has happened. Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, who had become a partisan minister by making highly inflammatory statements, stirring controversies and damaging government reconciliation efforts, has resigned.
Swearing on the Holy Quran to tell "nothing but truth", Pakistan People's Party (PPP) senior leader Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, in reaction against Lyari search operation, on Sunday announced to resign from all government and party positions-provincial minister, MPA, and senior vice president of PPP-at a largely attended press conference at Karachi Press Club (KPC).
The announcement caused stir in the government and political circles across the country. Mirza not only accused Interior Minister Rehman Malik of being a compulsive liar, but also called MQM chief Altaf Hussain as being a leader of terrorist organisation.
Mirza alleged that Interior Minister Rehman Malik "is hand in glove with terrorists", and said that Rehman has close links with target killers in Karachi. He added that the proofs in this regard would be forwarded to the authorities concerned, if needed. He also held Rehman responsible, if the country faced impairment in coming future.
Levelling the serious allegations against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain, he said that Altaf had informed him that United States and other foreign masters had decided to disintegrate Pakistan while he (Altaf Hussain) and his party had extended support to them on their goal. He also alleged that MQM was patronising killers and criminal elements in this connection.
Mirza said that MQM does not have a real mandate in Karachi and Hyderabad. "They exploit the sentiments of the people and extort votes at gunpoint". He said that five persons, who were arrested over the killing of Wali Khan Babar, belonged to MQM, and named one of them as Liaquat, who, he said, was still absconder. He said that MQM was behind the killing of Wali Khan Babar.
Addressing a lengthy press conference, started at 4:25 pm and continued till 6:15 pm, Mirza said he would have brought peace in Karachi within 15 days if he had been given full powers.
He said that he would remain a die-hard supporter of PPP and President Asif Ali Zardari, and lauded the support of Benazir Bhutto and Zardari bestowed upon him.
Needless to mention, senior provincial minister, works & services Dr Zulfiqar Mirza has been vice president of PPP Sindh and also a central executive committee member and a close aide of President Asif Zardari. He was elected from Sindh Assembly seat PS-57 Badin I.