ISLAMABAD: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Farooq Sattar on Friday said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has vowed to investigate the matter of Saulat Mirza’s video recording in a meeting held at PM House on MQM’s request.

During the meeting, the premier assured MQM that the Karachi operation was not aimed at a particular political party.

Answering MQM’s concerns on how a death-row prisoner’s video statement was recorded in prison and then leaked to media, the premier said he will look into the matter and provide details, Farooq Sattar said.

Sattar was talking to media personnel following an MQM delegation’s meeting with Nawaz Sharif at the PM House on Friday.

Also read: PM Nawaz meets MQM delegation.

“The prime minister has assured us that he will look into how recording a video was possible after a black warrant had been issued and will let us know the details,” said Sattar.

He went on to say that “no criminals were arrested from Nine Zero during the Rangers raid, as has been portrayed so far,” and that “wanted criminals were arrested from adjoining areas."

“Almost 3,000 visitors come to Nine Zero everyday; we can’t exactly be held responsible for them,” he said.

Sattar said during the meeting, his party conveyed and openly laid out its reservations and concerns in the aftermath of the Rangers’ raid at its headquarters in Karachi on March 11.

Know more: Rangers raid MQM HQ in Karachi, detain member of Rabita Committee

Sattar said MQM was facing a media trial following the widely televised raid at Nine Zero. "A false perception is being created that MQM harbours criminals,” he said.

“Our workers are being treated and presented as convicts in media, while so far nothing has been proved. The treatment meted out to Amir Khan and others reeks of partiality.”

The raid at Altaf Hussain’s sister’s house was also condemned by Sattar, who said the act of ransacking a 70-year-old woman’s home was uncalled for.

All these points were brought to the premier’s notice, said Sattar.

PM’s statement

In an official statement from the PM House, Nawaz Sharif said the Karachi operation was not aimed at any particular political party. He said the government is not pursuing a policy of confrontation.

The PM went on to say that all political parties should sincerely collaborate to rid Karachi of violent elements.

He said law enforcement agencies have been directed to carry out impartial operations in the city.

Speaking to journalists, Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique said the government had assured MQM that no political party will be targeted in any operation. He mirrored the premier’s sentiments, saying the government was looking to wipe out criminal elements with utmost sincerity.