This he declared at a speech to media at ANP’s Karachi Headquarter, Mardan House, here on late Wednesday night.

Mirza said in his views that Afaq is the real leader of Urdu speaking community and is the second major political prisoner after Asif Ali Zardari.

Mirza said: “If Afaq Ahmed, the MQM-H leader, is a criminal, then in his opinion, Altaf Hussain is 100 times bigger criminal.”

The minister said he had previously denied meeting Afaq in jail under pressure from Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan.

Mirza said, “I admit that I have met him, not once but twice.” “Afaq Ahmed is my inmate and I will continue meeting him,” he added.

Mirza went on to say that he would continue to act against gangsters and extortionists.