Imran Farooq’s murder: UK seeks access to another key suspect
MQM delegation expresses concerns over Rangers’ operation in Karachi
Dr Imran Farooq. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The British government has sought from Pakistan access to another key suspect in the murder of Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s convener Dr Imran Farooq. Dr Farooq was bludgeoned and stabbed to death near his apartment while returning from his workplace in London in 2010.
“Yes, the United Kingdom has sought access to another key accused [in Dr Imran Farooq’s case],” confirmed Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan during a news briefing on Tuesday.
The UK approached Islamabad on this issue a week after a Scotland Yard team returned to London. According to sources, the two accused shared valuable information with the British investigators.
Read: UK govt never asked for suspects’ extradition, says Nisar
“Now, we are looking into London police’s fresh request,” said a senior interior ministry official familiar with the development. “There is a strong possibility that the ministry would give access to Mohsin Ali, who is believed to have facilitated the suspected killers,” he added.
MQM delegation meets Nisar
Meanwhile, a delegation of MQM lawmakers, comprising Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Barrister Saif and Farooq Sattar, called on the interior minister on Tuesday to discuss a number of issues, including Dr Farooq’s murder case, Rangers’ operation and law and order situation in Karachi.
Sources said the delegation expressed reservations over the Rangers’ operation, which, they said, was targeting MQM workers, officials said.
However, according to an official statement released soon after the meeting, the minister said the law enforcement agencies would continue the operation against criminals in Karachi without any discrimination.
“The Sindh Rangers is operating under the law and its aim is not to push any political party, including the MQM, against the wall,” the statement quoted Nisar as saying.
Read: FIA, federal govt to confirm if Moazzam can be released on bail
He said the government was making efforts to address reservations of political parties, adding that it was in national interest that they all support the Rangers’ operation.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 29th, 2015.
The British government has sought from Pakistan access to another key suspect in the murder of Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s convener Dr Imran Farooq. Dr Farooq was bludgeoned and stabbed to death near his apartment while returning from his workplace in London in 2010.
“Yes, the United Kingdom has sought access to another key accused [in Dr Imran Farooq’s case],” confirmed Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan during a news briefing on Tuesday.
The UK approached Islamabad on this issue a week after a Scotland Yard team returned to London. According to sources, the two accused shared valuable information with the British investigators.
Read: UK govt never asked for suspects’ extradition, says Nisar
“Now, we are looking into London police’s fresh request,” said a senior interior ministry official familiar with the development. “There is a strong possibility that the ministry would give access to Mohsin Ali, who is believed to have facilitated the suspected killers,” he added.
MQM delegation meets Nisar
Meanwhile, a delegation of MQM lawmakers, comprising Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Barrister Saif and Farooq Sattar, called on the interior minister on Tuesday to discuss a number of issues, including Dr Farooq’s murder case, Rangers’ operation and law and order situation in Karachi.
Sources said the delegation expressed reservations over the Rangers’ operation, which, they said, was targeting MQM workers, officials said.
However, according to an official statement released soon after the meeting, the minister said the law enforcement agencies would continue the operation against criminals in Karachi without any discrimination.
“The Sindh Rangers is operating under the law and its aim is not to push any political party, including the MQM, against the wall,” the statement quoted Nisar as saying.
Read: FIA, federal govt to confirm if Moazzam can be released on bail
He said the government was making efforts to address reservations of political parties, adding that it was in national interest that they all support the Rangers’ operation.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 29th, 2015.