Pakistan

Scotland Yard called in to lead investigation

British officials warn bloody struggle between political factions in Karachi on its way to Britain after murder.

Express September 19, 2010

Scotland Yard has been called in to lead the inquiry into the assassination of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Imran Farooq, British newspaper The Daily Telegraph reported on Saturday, citing British security sources.

The move came after British officials warned that a bloody struggle between political factions in Karachi was on its way to Britain.

Security sources said that the murder inquiry into Farooq’s death had been taken over by Scotland Yard’s Counter-Terrorism Command, which investigates political assassinations. MI5 is also likely to be called in to help. Scotland Yard has appealed for witnesses to the crime.

Detectives in London have not ruled out the possibility that Dr Farooq was killed in a random mugging. However, a political motive could spark political clashes in Karachi or undermine the stability of Pakistan’s governing coalition, which includes the MQM.

His death on Thursday night, outside his home in north London, took place as party members were preparing to mark the birthday of their leader Altaf Hussain the next day. And the party believes that Dr Farooq was murdered for political reasons.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Farooq Sattar said that the timing suggested a political motive. “The date looks like it was selected by design. We are trying to keep a lid on speculation. Conspiracy theories could provoke more trouble,” he said.

Mohammad Anwar, a party member in London, said that the leadership had received threats. “Because we did not find any evidence of robbery, we feel that there may be an element of conspiracy and therefore, we can think that this was an assassination,” he said.

Karachi remained in a lockdown following Dr Farooq’s murder in London early Friday morning. Political leaders have called for calm during the 10 days of mourning announced by the MQM. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said: “It was a great loss to the party and the family.” Traders and bus drivers in Karachi stayed at home on Friday. Streets were deserted as many people feared a slide into renewed ethnic violence.

“This has been going on here for years and it’s not a surprise to see something happen in London,” said a senior counter-terrorism official in Karachi, speaking on condition of anonymity. “These networks extend a long way and are very well developed. It is impossible to tell who is responsible,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 19^th, 2010.

COMMENTS (10)

Watchdog from UK | 14 years ago | Reply Where is father of imran farooq? He is not seen in nine zero. why should Farooq Sattar receive condolences for a man who was expelled by the mqm supremo more than two years ago. it was obvious that Altaf was shedding crocodile tears. He was not as aggrieved for Azim Tariq who was also murdered.

watchdog from UK | 14 years ago | Reply No any news is emanating from Scotland Yard. There is complete lull. What is happening behind the scene. The body of Imran Farooq is not being released to the relatives. Dr Farooq Sattar, who is now receiving condolences instead of father of the deceased, is eagerly waiting for the body to arrive in Karachi. I am bit puzzled why the body is not being released when the autopsy has already been done. Where is the next of kin of Imran Farooq? Why the Scotland Yard is not letting her out as yet? Where is MQM chief? and there are reports that he senses impending interrogation and therefore he has organised a panel of solicitors to advise him. I say these are reports and not confirmed. Whatever the case may be, Altaf must be having sleepless nights. May be this incidence may be a defining moments for the MQM.

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rafiq | 14 years ago | Reply and u mr mateen u should stick ur reassurance

Khobar from London | 14 years ago | Reply @Ricky There is one thing obvious from your comments that MQM is not mutahida qaumi movement but it is movable qaumi movement. It has no national entity as claimed by the MQM but it is confined to a section of mohajirs. MQM is an ethnic party.

Khobar from London | 14 years ago | Reply @sayed mateen Rest assured the investigations are ongoing. The cell phones are in custody and logged incoming and outgoing calls can be traced with transcripts. Mrs Imran Farooq is in custody of police and no one is allowed to communicate with her.

Syed A. Mateen | 14 years ago | Reply It has been more than 36 hours of Mr. Imran Farooq's assasination. By now the British Police must have arrested the culprit(s). If not then the Police should first arrest the culprit(s) and then start through investigations. What about the cell phones of Mr. and Mrs. Imran Farooq taken in custody by Scotland Yard? Did any one find any clue from incoming and outgoing calls as yet? It is not necessary that the killer(s) would have called Mr. Imran Farooq before murdering him. The killer(s) must have noted down his movements to and from his place of residence. The killer(s) knew in advance that at what time he will come back home. Had Scotland Yard obtain the pictures of cameras installed in the lane where Mr. Imran Farooq use to live? The Scotland Yard should see and interview all people who walked through the lane time and again on the same street where he was living. The press also reported that four neighbours of Mr. Imaran Farooq called at a time when he was being killed. Did the Scotland Yard interview those callers? I doubt that Scotland Yard would be able to find out who killed Mr. Imran Farooq as after reading different news, it seems that the murder in London was pre-planned.

watchdog from UK | 14 years ago | Reply EXCERPT FROM ABOVE LINK * emphasized text> Now, with blood being spilt in London rather than Pakistan, what was originally a relatively small Scotland Yard file on the party is likely to become much bigger. In coming days, detectives are expected to interview senior party officials in what is likely to be a complex, politically-charged and hugely costly investigation, the outcome of which could also affect British-Pakistani relations. "They have been asking us to fight the war on terror but at the same time giving these people passports," said Mr Khan. "But as long as Britain was safe, it didn't seem to matter."emphasized text *

watchdog from UK | 14 years ago | Reply No one else had written any comment on the article as yet so I thought I post another comment and hope this will be published. There is a report in Sunday Telegraph about MQM and is a must read. It has done autopsy of MQM in a professional style without being influenced by either Pro or anti MQM individuals. The heading of the report is as follows: Pakistan politician murder: have Karachi's brutal politics reached London? Neighbours in Edgware thought Imran Farooq just worked in a pharmacy, but then he was murdered - victim of the brutal politics of Pakistan's biggest city. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/8011271/Pakistan-politician-murder-have-Karachis-brutal-politics-reached-London.html

Ricky | 14 years ago | Reply It is necessary to find the culprits and bring them to justice, thats right it is London not Pakistan. Now, MQM Responsibles must have their Guards wherever they are. God Save Karachi & Pakistan. Longlive MQM

watchdog from UK | 14 years ago | Reply This is nothing new and the whole world knows that Scotland Yard has now stepped in. Most probably Altaf Hussain will be questioned as well. Wait for few more days. This is London not Karachi where MQM can do arm twisting. The Yard will have to solve the murder and arrest not only the one who killed but the mastermind as well.

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