Karachi: Karachi city remained mostly open and public transport plied as per routine amid the protest call of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) here Wednesday to protest a Rangers siege at Farooq Sattar’s house.
Markets and shops were seen open in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Jamshed Town and Saddar areas. Petrol pumps were open and public transport was on the roads.
No untoward incident was reported by noon.
In a statement released by MQM’s Rabita Committee earlier on Tuesday, 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.
The statement alleged that over 30 Rangers’ personnel cordoned off the street to Sattar’s house on Tuesday and banged his gate with their rifle butts. “The attitude of Rangers personnel proves that the Karachi Operation is targeted only at the MQM,” the statement said.
On the other hand DG Rangers Sindh Maj Gen Bilal Akbar in a reaction to the MQM strike call warned traders of closing their business. “Traders who shut down their businesses will be dealt with strictly,” he said in a statement.
“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. Rangers personnel reached the locations and resumed business as usual, the statement said.
