KARACHI: Director General (DG) Rangers Major General Bilal Akbar on Tuesday clarified that the paramilitary force did not raid the house of MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar, after the media reported that Rangers personnel had surrounded Sattar’s home in PIB Colony area of the metropolis.

Rangers personnel, however, did carry out a search operation in PIB Colony, in the areas adjacent to Sattar’s residence on a tip-off about the presence of some suspects, Akbar was quoted as saying.

Local media had reported on Tuesday night that Rangers personnel have surrounded the residence of MQM senior deputy convener Farooq Sattar. It was also reported that the security personnel allegedly raided the house of the MQM stalwart.

Party leaders Wasay Jalil and Nadeem Nusrat were quick to confirm the development through their tweets.

Nusrat said that it was an attempt by the security agencies to terrorise and compel MQM leadership, making it to switch its loyalties.

Farooq Sattar, while talking to a local news channel, said that his house was surrounded by security personnels and all the entry and exit points in the area were cordoned off.

MQM also issued a statement showing concern over the alleged raid a called it "condemnable act", DawnNews reported.

Soon after the news of the 'operation' spread, DG Rangers quickly issued a clarification statement saying that the paramilitary force did not raid the residence of Dr Farooq Sattar, but only conducted a search operation in the area over the information regarding the presence of certain criminal elements.

In reply to this, the MQM leader said if Rangers had any information about any criminals they should have shared it, "we would have fully cooperated with them".

Later, the Rangers personnel reportedly returned from the area without making any arrest.

MQM to observe ‘protest day’

Subsequently, MQM announced a ‘protest day’ against what they said was "misbehaviour of Rangers’ personnel" and the cordoning off the residence of party leader Farooq Sattar during a search operation in the PIB area of Karachi.

In a late night statement, MQM’s coordination committee appealed to people to keep their businesses and transport shut across the Sindh province on Wednesday in protest against the alleged action by the paramilitary force.

MQM alleged in the statement that Rangers personnel charged the residence of Sattar and hit the gate of his house with their rifles and shoes. The statement also alleged that Rangers personnel prevented area residents from offering Taravih prayers.

"The Rangers operation in Karachi is only and only against MQM," said the statement.