ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has decided in principle to
change Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah with former provincial Home
Minister Zulfiqar Mirza to restore law and order in restive Karachi.
According
to sources very well-placed sources in Presidency, the President during
his ongoing UK visit would consult MQM chief Altaf Hussain in this
regard as their meeting was on cards during next couple of days in
London.
“President Zardari has already got clearance for Dr
Mirza as Chief Minister from the defense quarters, as well” the sources
told Online. All key political allies both within and outside PPP
except for the MQM have also favored proposed change of Chief Minister
Sindh.
“Constantly deteriorating state of security in Karachi,
the provincial as well as the financial capital of the country has
forced the PPP leadership to look for a Chief Minister other than Syed
Qaim Ali Shah,” the sources said. “Mirza’s performance as former Home
Minister certifies his credential to handle at least the law and order
in the largest metropolis of the country,” the sources added.
The
sources were of the view that the President was most likely to go ahead
with the change in his capacity of Co-Chairman of the ruling party even
if the MQM objects to it. “Initially, the President would try to
convince MQM leader to support his idea of changing the Chief Minister
of the province for effective security alone,” the sources said adding
“refusal to accept President’s proposal could be costlier for MQM.”
Previously,
Mirza was asked to step down as Home Minister only because of the MQM’s
frictions with him. “That was a different ball game, as PML-Q was not
part of the government by then and the PPP government was in need of
MQM as coalition partner for simple majority in the National Assembly,”
the sources added. Notwithstanding, anti-government statements, boycott
of AJK elections, and threats to quit again, the MQM has no longer that
much of bargaining chip in hand, after the PPP has secured sufficient
majority having PML-Q in coalition besides ANP, the sources maintained. Online
