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Just as Karachi was limping back to normalcy after a week of mayhem and bloodletting, Pakistan’s commercial capital was set ablaze once again on Wednesday night by Pakistan People’s Party leader and Sindh Minister Zulfiqar Mirza’s statements against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Urdu-speaking people of the city.
Though party colleagues cut Mr. Mirza short, the damage was done. Before the night was through, staccato bursts of gunfire ended the uneasy calm that was settling into Karachi and mobs on the rampage torched vehicles in various parts of the city. By morning 14 people had been killed.
As the violence spread, the PPP leadership was quick to distance itself from Mr. Mirza’s comment and in a past midnight appeal asked party workers not to use intemperate language. In his diatribe, Mr. Mirza had urged the people of Karachi and Hyderabad to stand up and rid themselves of the “wretched” MQM.
While few in the country openly criticise the MQM — which is accused of indulging in violent politics — Mr. Mirza’s attack drew wide criticism; particularly for the attack on the Urdu-speaking people. Mr. Mirza who was summoned to Islamabad on Thursday evening by party chief and President Asif Ali Zardari — criticised the Urdu-speaking people for being ungrateful for the home they were given after Partition.
Though Mr. Mirza apologised for his remarks, life in Karachi remained disrupted through the day for fear of further clashes between the MQM and its main political foe, the Awami National Party (ANP) which is in alliance with the PPP at the national level and in Sindh. As one Karachi’ite put it: “Between the devil and the deep blue sea: Shops forcefully closed by MQM goons. Hour later, shopkeepers were forced to open by ANP goons.”
In the afternoon, tension mounted amid reports of MQM supporters moving in large numbers towards Mr. Mirza’s residence. Though the situation was defused with MQM chief Altaf Hussain appealing to his workers from London to maintain calm, the Mohajir Rabita Committee has reportedly asked Mr. Mirza and ANP’s Shahi Sayed to leave Karachi within 48 hours.
Though party colleagues cut Mr. Mirza short, the damage was done. Before the night was through, staccato bursts of gunfire ended the uneasy calm that was settling into Karachi and mobs on the rampage torched vehicles in various parts of the city. By morning 14 people had been killed.
As the violence spread, the PPP leadership was quick to distance itself from Mr. Mirza’s comment and in a past midnight appeal asked party workers not to use intemperate language. In his diatribe, Mr. Mirza had urged the people of Karachi and Hyderabad to stand up and rid themselves of the “wretched” MQM.
While few in the country openly criticise the MQM — which is accused of indulging in violent politics — Mr. Mirza’s attack drew wide criticism; particularly for the attack on the Urdu-speaking people. Mr. Mirza who was summoned to Islamabad on Thursday evening by party chief and President Asif Ali Zardari — criticised the Urdu-speaking people for being ungrateful for the home they were given after Partition.
Though Mr. Mirza apologised for his remarks, life in Karachi remained disrupted through the day for fear of further clashes between the MQM and its main political foe, the Awami National Party (ANP) which is in alliance with the PPP at the national level and in Sindh. As one Karachi’ite put it: “Between the devil and the deep blue sea: Shops forcefully closed by MQM goons. Hour later, shopkeepers were forced to open by ANP goons.”
In the afternoon, tension mounted amid reports of MQM supporters moving in large numbers towards Mr. Mirza’s residence. Though the situation was defused with MQM chief Altaf Hussain appealing to his workers from London to maintain calm, the Mohajir Rabita Committee has reportedly asked Mr. Mirza and ANP’s Shahi Sayed to leave Karachi within 48 hours.