‘No arrests in Imran Farooq murder case yet’

British home secretary said earlier comment by London police was a ‘mistake’.

ISLAMABAD: Contradicting an earlier statement by a fellow official, British Home Secretary Theresa May said that no arrests had been made in connection with Dr Imran Farooq murder case.

Speaking to the media after meeting Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Thursday, May said investigations in the case are under way and denied that any arrests have been made.

She said the earlier statement on two men allegedly arrested in Pakistan was “mistakenly given” by the London police commissioner.

Earlier, on November 12, Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe claimed that two men were arrested from Karachi. The commissioner was quoted by a London-based newspaper saying the killers would not be allowed to roam freely on the streets of London. He had also said that London Police was working with Pakistan in the murder case.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik also denied that any arrests were made in the case.

“Our Foreign Office received a letter from UK ambassador in Pakistan, asking Pakistani authorities if any arrest was made in the case as published by a section of the press,” Malik said.

All intelligence agencies denied any arrests, when queried by the interior ministry, Malik added.

Counter-terrorism cooperation

Acknowledging Pakistan’s efforts in the war against terror, May said that extremism-driven terrorism was a threat to both Pakistan and the UK and, therefore, they needed to cooperate.

“I want to take this opportunity to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to your fight against extremism. Just as our histories are woven together so too will be our future,” May said.

The UK is gifting 18 explosive trace detectors to Pakistan and will look to extend that assistance in the future, she added.

Thanking the UK government in its co-operation in the field of counter-terrorism, Malik said it had also agreed to help improve the capacity of law enforcement agencies.

Curbing illegal migration

Home Secretary May welcomed the commitment shown by Pakistan towards adopting a zero tolerance approach to Illegal migration.

Malik agreed to monitor new initiatives through a new Migration Joint Working Group which will meet annually to discuss the migration agenda. The group will bring experts from the UK and Pakistan to discuss all issues relating to migration.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2011.