BADIN: Former home minister Dr Zulfikar Mirza, who has just returned home from London, told his supporters and local journalists at his Morjhar farmhouse on Sunday that he would hold everyone accountable for victimisation of his aides and supporters during his absence from the country.

“I am fully aware of the worst kind of political victimisation meted out to my associates and supporters here in Badin,” he said, and held out the assurance that no one involved in the excesses would escape unpunished. “People know I am not such a person who can be cowed down ... the treatment meted out to my supporters is absolutely unacceptable,” he said.

Read: ‘Dr Mirza has personal issues with PPP leadership’

Dr Mirza said that the treatment being given to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) by the law enforcement agencies was what the party deserved. He said he had long been saying that the MQM was a terrorist organisation.

He reaffirmed his strong belief in the principles set by Pakistan Peoples Party founder leader Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and his daughter Benazir Bhutto, and said he would remain their follower till his last breath. He dispelled rumours about his parting of the ways with the PPP, saying that only death could separate him from the party.

Dr Mirza said the forces carrying out the targeted operation against terrorists in Karachi would always find him ready to cooperate with them.

He also reiterated his loyalty to PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and resolved to help him cleanse the party of corrupt elements.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2015

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