Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and Senior Sindh Minister Zulfiqar Mirza has apologised for his remarks against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
In a statement released by the Sindh Ministry of Information, Mirza said that all Urdu-speaking people were his brothers and sisters and that he apologises for his statements against them.
The senior minister said that his earlier statement was his personal opinion.
He had earlier criticised the MQM and its chief Altaf Hussain and also said that the leader of a breakaway MQM faction was the “true leader of muhajirs” and accused the MQM of trying to divide Sindh.
Violence and unrest had quickly spread to different parts of Karachi and Hyderabad after Mirza’s earlier statements.
All shops and markets in Karachi, Hyderabad and other adjacent areas were closed and transport suspended.
Protestors took to the streets and torched an effigy of Mirza as a sign of protest against his statement.
Condemnations aplenty
The Awami National Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz distanced themselves from Zulfiqar Mirza’s remarks, saying the statements from the PPP leader are “irresponsible”.
In a statement issued from Karachi, the ANP denounced the statement and has urged the MQM to calm its workers in Karachi.
Separately, PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal said Zulfiqar Mirza must publically apologise for his anti-MQM remarks.
Talking to Express 24/7, Ahsan Iqbal said such statements endanger the lives of Karachiites.
He said the city has just come out of a violent cycle and tolerance is the need of the hour.
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