Two PPP leaders arrested in Badin as Mirza escapes alleged attack

Published November 10, 2015
Zulfiqar Mirza accused PPP leader Kamal Khan Chang and Haji Sain Bux Jamali after his car came under attack in Tando Bago. ─ Online/File
Zulfiqar Mirza accused PPP leader Kamal Khan Chang and Haji Sain Bux Jamali after his car came under attack in Tando Bago. ─ Online/File

BADIN: Pakistan Rangers Sindh personnel on Tuesday arrested two Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders hours after rival local leader Zulfiqar Mirza’s caravan was allegedly attacked in Tando Bago town of Sindh's Badin district.

Rangers raided a local PPP camp office and arrested Atta Hussain Jamali, a district council from UC Mir Ghulam Mohammad Khan Talpur and his nephew Khan Sahib Jamali, who is the PPP candidate from Ward Numner 3 of Tando Bago town in Badin district.

Three armed party activists were also taken into custody from the camp office.

Earlier in the day, the caravan of former Sindh home minister and disgruntled PPP leader Dr Zulifiqar Mirza came under fire on Dei-Tando Bago road.

Dr Mirza escaped the gun attack unhurt but later during a press conference blamed PPP leaders including MNA Kamal Khan, Haji Sain Bux Jamali and others for the attack.

Dr Mirza alleged that the PPP leadership wanted bloodshed during the local body elections in the district.

“They think I am a coward who would run away. Tell them, I will never stop fighting against the corrupt,” said Mirza.

Dr Fehmida Mirza, Zulfiqar Mirza's wife and former NA speaker, talking to local media demanded a thorough probe into the incident and held SSP Badin Ibrar Hussain Nekokar responsible for the mess in the district.

Related: Zulfiqar Mirza to form own political party

On the other hand, Haji Sain Bux Jamali, while talking to Dawn.com, said armed supporters of Dr Mirza opened straight fire on his supporters at his farmhouse near his village Sono Khan Jamali.

He claimed that after the incident some of his supporters staged a demonstration to register their protest against the attack.

Provincial minister  Dayaram Esrani, MNA Sardar Kamal Khan Chang, Dr Aziz Memon, Taj Mohammad Mallah and others are addressing the press conference in Chang House in Badin city. The PPP leaders alleged that federal interior minister Chaudhary Nisar Khan is abetting Dr Mirza, who according to them, wants bloodshed in the district.‏
Provincial minister Dayaram Esrani, MNA Sardar Kamal Khan Chang, Dr Aziz Memon, Taj Mohammad Mallah and others are addressing the press conference in Chang House in Badin city. The PPP leaders alleged that federal interior minister Chaudhary Nisar Khan is abetting Dr Mirza, who according to them, wants bloodshed in the district.‏

Later, in a joint press conference, provincial minister Dayaram Esrani along with MNA Sardar Kamal Khan Chang claimed before media that Dr Zulfiqar Mirza's car was never attacked and he just wants bloodshed in the area.

The PPP leaders also accused Federal Interior Minister Chauhdry Nisar Ali Khan of abetting Mirza in his subversive plans.

Deputy Commissioner Badin Mohammad Raffique Qurqaishi told reporters that police and Rangers had recovered a vehicle full of sophisticated arms. He said no one will be allowed to display arms in the district, adding that all weapon licenses will be cancelled tonight to maintain law and order.

After the incident, the situation in Tando Bago turned tense with heavy contingents of police and Rangers deployed there.

Mirza's relationship with the PPP, especially his close friend Asif Ali Zardari has deteriorated in recent times, with Mirza openly levelling serious allegations of corruption on the former president and the PPP co-chair.

In May this year, Mirza along with his associates was booked in multiple cases under the Anti-Terrorism Act on charges of attempted murder, attacking a police station and forcible closure of shops in a market of Badin district.

But following the registration of cases against the disgruntled PPP leader, the situation in Badin turned tense when police laid siege to Mirza’s farmhouse to arrest him and his associates. Mirza and his supporters claim that the cases registered were political in nature, and were part of heavy handed tactics by the PPP provincial government.

Mirza was granted pre-arrest bail in all the cases.

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