News
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Zardari warns Mirza against offensive remarks
* President says all Muhajirs are Pakistanis and sons of soil
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday expressed displeasure over the “uncalled for remarks” made by Sindh Senior Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza and warned him to be careful in the future.
The president, who is also the Pakistan People’s Party co-chairman, summoned Dr Mirza on Thursday to seek his explanation over his controversial remarks. The president said all Muhajirs, whether in Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab or any other part of the country, were Pakistanis and sons of the soil. “Any suggestion to the contrary or any insinuation that tended to undermine their status as Pakistani nationals or patriotism is abhorrent,” a statement issued from the President’s House said.
The president telephoned Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Altaf Hussain at around 2.45am on Friday to convey his regrets over the uncalled for and unacceptable remarks of Mirza. He informed the MQM leader that the statement of Mirza had no endorsement of the party and were his personal views. The president said that the real and the greatest threat to the country came from the terrorists and emphasised upon the need to stand united against the real enemy.
President Zardari said that this was the time to strengthen democratic political forces, unite the people and build them as a bulwark against terrorism and not to do anything that undermined their strength. The present situation demands political forces to manifest tolerance and patience so that the country, its people and democracy, could be protected. The president asked Dr Mirza to be careful in making public statements and said that neither the party nor the government would condone offensive remarks. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk