KARACHI - Business remained as usual and vehicles plied on the roads on Wednesday despite a strike call by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement to protest a Rangers siege at Farooq Sattar’s house.

In a statement released on Tuesday by MQM’s Rabita Committee, traders were requested to keep their business closed and transporters asked to keep public buses off streets in a bid to show solidarity with the political party.

In the past, the MQM forcibly got the strike calls observed by the traders and the transporters as they feared that the urban-based party would retaliate by burning their businesses.

On the other hand, TV channels quoted DG Rangers Sindh Maj Gen Bilal asking citizens to not follow the MQM's strike call and vowing to take action against businesses which chose to shut down.

“Citizens should continue with routine activities. Rangers will deal with miscreants,” the statement added.

As the day progressed a statement from the Rangers said that they had received complaints of shops being forced to close down at 23 locations on their helpline. The Rangers personnel reached the locations and business was resumed as usual, the statement said.

Highly perturbed over no response to its call, the MQM hit back at the Rangers statement denouncing its call for a 'peaceful strike', and said that protesting peacefully was a legal and constitutional right of every political party. "To hold peaceful protests is the constitutional, legal and human right of every political party," said a statement issued by MQM Coordination Committee. "The MQM exercised its democratic right by appealing for a peaceful strike against Rangers' illegal and inhumane practices, it said.

"The statement of the DG Rangers against the MQM's appeal for a peaceful strike is condemnable," it said.

The DG Rangers had earlier clarified that the paramilitary force did not raid the house of MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar but it carried out a search operation near the MQM stalwart's residence.

Meanwhile, reports from different areas said the situation in most parts of Karachi remained normal on Wednesday and most businesses remained open as usual. Regular public transport could be seen on the roads of the metropolis.

MQM unit incharge held for forcefully closing shops

The Rangers arrested a unit incharge of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement for forcibly closing the shops during strike here, reported a private TV channel.

According to details, the MQM supporters were observing strike in Karachi over Rangers’ raid on Farooq Sattar’s house. The protest call was given by the MQM’s Coordination Committee that also appealed the people of Sindh to keep their businesses shut and transport off the road. 

During the protest, MQM unit incharge Rizwan was seen forcefully closing the shops after which, the Rangers took him into custody.

The Rangers spokesman said that the accused was trying to spread unrest in the metropolis. He also directed the locals to inform about any untoward situation by dialling 1101.  On the other hand, heavy contingent of the Rangers have been summoned to monitor the whole condition and have been directed to take action in case of any mishap.