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KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah took disciplinary action against MPA Imdad Pitafi on Thursday and suspended his party membership for maintaining close relations with former home minister Dr Zulfikar Mirza.
He said Dr Mirza, whose activities were found contrary to party discipline, was no more affiliated with the PPP and the use of indecent language, particularly in his recent remarks against Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain and his party, deserved condemnation because it was not the party’s policy.
The chief minister was speaking at a press conference after the MQM protested against Provincial Information Minister Sherjeel Memon and PPP MPA Imdad Pitafi’s travel with Dr Mirza to London, where the former home minister launched a smear campaign against the MQM and its leadership.
Without naming names (of Finance Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Revenue Minister Jam Mehtab Dhar, Excise Minister Chawla and Minister Malkani and at least 10 PPP MPAs), Mr Shah said others who were siding with Dr Mirza had given an impression that the PPP government was on the rocks.
He said they were also given inducements, but after realising their mistake they met him, repented over their conduct and said they were loyal to the party.
The chief minister said he told them that if they had any love for Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, her party, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto and Co-chairman Zardari, they must distance themselves from Dr Mirza.Mr Shah said he had made it clear to Governor Ishratul Ibad and MQM ministers who met him, particularly Altaf Hussain, on Thursday that “our solidarity is intact as we are with democracy and will remain together”.
When his attention was drawn to reports that ministers Syed Murad Ali Shah and Jam Mehtab Dhar, along with MPA Syed Javed Shah, had also met Dr Mirza before his departure to London, the chief minister said he would take action against them if any proof surfaced.
Asked if the PPP ticket would be awarded to the son of Dr Mirza to contest by-election on the seat vacated by him, Mr Shah said no decision had been taken so far.
In reply to another question, he ruled out the possibility of formation of a forward bloc in Sindh PPP.
When asked what action he was going to initiate against Dr Mirza for taking away official documents to London for handing them over to Scotland Yard, the chief minister said action would certainly be taken against him after documents were made public.
Mr Shah said President Zardari had told him that the alliance with the MQM would remain intact and the PPP and Muttahida would also contest elections jointly.
PPP leaders Sardar Nadir Magsi, Saifullah Dharejo, Ayaz Soomro, Akhtar Jadoon, Muzaffar Shujra, Ali Mardan Shah, Sajid Jokhio, Nadeem Bhutto, Prof N.D. Khan, Nargis N.D. Khan, Lal Bux Bhutto, Taj Haider, Waqar Mehdi and Rashid Rabbani were also present at the press conference.
SHERJEEL MEMON: Information Minister Sherjeel Memon, who returned from London on Thursday, told newsmen at the Jinnah Terminal he had gone to the United Kingdom on a private visit and after receiving a phone call from the chief minister he cut short his visit.
He said he was loyal to the party and bound by its discipline.
In reply to a question, Mr Memon said Imdad Pitafi, along with his family, had travelled in the same flight to some other destination than London and he did not accompany Dr Mirza.
