From Saddar to PIB: MQM men reported arrested in Rangers sweeps on unit offices across town

Party says details would be released later.

KARACHI: Over two dozen Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) activists were reportedly apprehended during raids at the party’s sector and unit offices on Monday evening.

The Rangers swept through the party’s offices and confiscated official documents. There has been no confirmation, however on whether any arms or ammunition were seized.

The raids appear to have been a result of MQM activists’ alleged involvement in forcing markets and shops to close in protest against former home minster Zulfiqar Mirza’s statements against the party. This disturbance, coupled with a demonstration in front of the Karachi Press Club and their own intelligence reports, forced the Rangers into action.

Their first stop was MQM’s Burns Road Sector office. Here, the Rangers detained nearly a dozen activists including sector incharge Shakeel alias Chief. Later, they searched offices in PIB, PECHS Society, Lines Area, Clifton, Mehmoodabad, Ranchore Lines, Lyari and Garden.

The Rangers spokesman was tight-lipped about the arrests and neither confirmed nor denied the raids. He only conceded that they were gathering details that would be shared with media soon.

The raids sparked panic in parts of the city such as the Old City area, Saddar and their surrounding areas where markets were shut in fear. More unconfirmed reports of markets and shops being forcibly closed by men firing in the air to scare people followed the raids. Abdul Majeed Haji Mohammad, an executive committee member of the International Chamber of Commerce, confirmed that shops were being shut down and tension had gripped markets all day. A shopkeeper at Burns Road, who did not want to be named because he was too scared, told The Express Tribune that shopkeepers were threatened by the armed men.

“First they came at 5 pm and told us that all shops better be closed by 6 pm,” he said. “They returned at 5:55 pm, this time with weapons and began firing into the air. Then what few shops were still open also closed down.”

District South SSP Naeem Sheikh told The Express Tribune that the raids were only carried out by Rangers personnel and the police had nothing to do with them. However, he rubbished reports that shops and markets were closed by force.

According to him, shopkeepers closed their shops themselves following the raids. He said that a heavy contingent of law enforcers were deployed in the areas and patrols was also stepped up.

So far, at least 11 activists have reportedly been apprehended from PIB, 10 from Burns road, six from Lyari, seven from Ranchore Lines and two from Clifton.

MQM leaders were unavailable for comment. However, the party’s Nasir Jamal said that they are putting together details for a statement.

Earlier, Rangers detained at least eight suspects and seized weapons during raids in Saeedabad, Baldia Town, Jangal Goth, Surjani and Fareed Colony.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2011.