The Statement of Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, former Senior Minister Sindh and law and order situation in Karachi was discussed at a high level meeting in the Presidency on Monday, it is learnt.
The meeting presided over by co-chairman President Asif Ali Zardari was attended by Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq, Mir Nadir Magsi, Sharjeel Memon, Manzoor Hussain Wassan, Muhammad Ayaz Soomro, Agha Siraj Durrani and Abdul Qadir Patel. Syed Khursheed Shah, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Rukhsana Bangash and Spokesperson for the President Farhatullah Babar were also present.
The meeting also took up the issues of acceptance of Dr Mirza resignation from different PPP slots and the relationship between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the government. According to sources, the President was of the view that the process of reconciliation would continue for strengthening the democratic insinuations. The President also expressed his dismay on the statement of Dr Mirza as it has hampered the process of reconciliation. The President also said that the impartial operation against the criminal elements would continue without any fear or favour.
According to a handout issued by the Presidency, the meeting also disowned the accusations made in the press conference by the former provincial senior minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza in Karachi on Sunday. The meeting termed it an unacceptable violation of the Party discipline and contrary to the well thought-out policy of reconciliation and taking of all political forces on board as envisaged by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
The meeting reiterated its resolve to continue the policy of reconciliation to collectively face the myriad challenges facing the country. "There may have been pauses in the process but there shall be no break in the purpose," the co-chairman said.
Chief Minister Sindh briefed the meeting about the current drive against criminal elements in Karachi, the steps taken thus far and the plans for the future. He also highlighted the results of the drive thus far. Talking to the media about the meeting Spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said that the meeting endorsed the steps taken by the provincial government and called upon all political forces and citizens to support the provincial government in fighting lawlessness in the city.
He said that the meeting reiterated government's resolve to maintain law and order in Karachi at all cost and rid the metropolitan city of extortionists, criminals and lawless elements. It said that the ongoing operation against criminal elements will continue regardless of political affiliations of the lawless elements till the restoration of peace in the city. Chief Minister and provincial President PPP Sindh Syed Qaim Ali shah also informed the meeting that he had taken action against the former senior minister and his resignation had been accepted.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2011

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