KARACHI: Sindh Police Inspector General (IG) Ghulam Hyder Jamali, “taking serious notice of the besiege, disorder and vandalism by nominated accused Zulfiqar Mirza and his armed miscreants” at the Darakshan Police Station on Saturday, has registered another case against Mirza, according to a Sindh Police spokesperson.
The spokesman said the IG had also suspended Station House Officer (SHO) Ghulam Hussain Pirzada for failing to arrange proper security during Mirza’s visit to the police station to record his statement.
“The IGP has further directed the DIG South to conduct inquiry into the matter and submit a report with immediate effect,” the spokesman added.
Accordingly, a fist information report (FIR) under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 has been lodged against Zulfiqar Mirza.
Allegations against Zardari
Zulfiqar Mirza has been in the news lately because of his public outbursts and criticism of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari and his sister MNA Faryal Talpur.
Almost three weeks ago, Mirza had alleged in a talk show on DawnNews that Zardari was laundering money through supermodel Ayyan, who is currently in jail for trying to smuggle $500,000 out of Pakistan in her luggage.
Mirza has on numerous occasions levied allegations of corruption at the Sindh government as well. In February this year, Mirza was ousted from the PPP’s central executive committee for his outbursts against Zardari.
Know more: Zardari laundered money through Ayyan: Zulfiqar Mirza.
Multiple FIRs
Earlier this month, Mirza along with his associates was initially booked in three 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.
A large police force supported by commandos faced a small but battle-ready armed guards backed by several hundred protesters when the uniformed personnel besieged the farms of the former home minister apparently to arrest some of his close associates nominated in several cases at a Badin police station.
Soon after the news of “a major police operation” to arrest Mirza and his close aides spread in the district, groups of angry protesters roamed the streets of the affected towns raising slogans against the Zardaris, Sindh government and police and vowing to protect the Mirza family at any cost.
There were also reports of firing into the air by the protesters at some places.
Later, two more case were registered against Mirza on charges of attempted murder and obstructing public servants from performing their duties.
So far, the disowned PPP leader has been granted pre-arrest bail in all the cases registered against him. Mirza claims all cases against him are politically motivated.
Read: ATC approves bail for Zulfiqar Mirza in three cases till May 19.