Rangers take MQM leaders Farooq Sattar, Khawaja Izhar into custody

KARACHI: MQM leader Farooq Sattar was taken into custody by Rangers personnel as he was trying to address the media persons outside Press Club, DawnNews reported.

The senior MQM leader was about to address a press conference when Rangers personnel showed up at Press Club and asked Sattar and Khawaja Izhar-ul-Hassan to accompany them to the Rangers headquarters.

DawnNews reported that Rangers officials informed Sattar that DG Rangers Major General Bilal Akbar wanted to see them.

Farooq Sattar and Khwaja Izhar had gathered at Press Club to address the media, however, when they were about to start the press conference Rangers officials arrived at the site and asked both the leaders to come to Rangers headquarters.

Sattar did offer some resistance initially but later agreed, Khwaja Izhar also accompanied him to the Rangers headquarters.

Earlier in the evening, violent protesters attacked an ARY News office in the Saddar area of the metropolis, which resulted in clash between police and the angry mob — killing one person and injuring several others.

Police later confirmed that “MQM workers pelted stones at police officials and the ARY office”, adding that they also resorted to aerial firing outside the office.

Director General Sindh Rangers Major General Bilal Akbar, while issuing statement following the incident, had guaranteed protection to the citizens.

“The attackers will be made to pay for their wrong deeds,” he had said, adding that no one will be allowed to carry out violent protests.

This is a developing story that is being updated as the situation evolves.