Suspects in Imran Farooq murder case to be prosecuted in Pakistan if UK 'reluctant' on extradition

Alleged culprits will be prosecuted in Pakistan if UK authorities are found reluctant about extradition, source says

ISLAMABAD:

The government has decided to hold a final round of talks with Britain to determine whether it is serious about the extradition of the alleged murderers of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) leader Dr imran Farooq. Dr Farooq was bludgeoned and stabbed to death in September 2010 near his apartment in the Edgware area of London.

A source privy to the development told Express News that Pakistani authorities will seek the opinion of the UK authorities on any possible extradition within a week. “The alleged culprits will be prosecuted in Pakistan if the UK authorities are reluctant about extradition,” he said.



The source said at one point in time the UK authorities were very keen to lay their hands on Dr Farooq’s assassins; however, now they seem less interested in pursuing the case.

“Pakistani authorities are left in very strange situation by the UK as now they are least bothered about the investigation into the case going on in Pakistan,” he added.



He said Pakistani authorities consider it a conscious move on part of the UK authorities and have noted that MQM chief Altaf Hussain now enjoys good relations with them.

“The government of Pakistan has extended full cooperation to bring the culprits to book and has kept on sharing the necessary information with Scotland Yard,” he said.

He said the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has documentary evidence to prove the conspiracy and intent of murder.

One of the alleged culprits – Moazzam Ali – is the main character and facilitator, who transferred the amount into the bank accounts of the alleged murderers – Syed Mohsin and Kashif – to get the murder plan executed, he said.



“All such records, like bank accounts details and telephone calls, are with the FIA investigators,” he claimed.  He said report of a Joint investigation Team (JIT) – formed prior to the registration of case in Islamabad – had also been shared with Scotland Yard and British authorities.

The alleged culprits –Moazzam Ali, Khalid Shamim, Syed Mohsin and Kashif Kamran – are being investigated by the FIA. Mohsin Ali confessed – before Anti-Terrorism Wing of the FIA in a court of Islamabad additional deputy commissioner – that he and Kashif had murdered Dr Farooq.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 22^nd,  2016.