Dr Imran Farooq murder suspects to be interrogated by Met police: Nisar

Published June 23, 2015
MQM convener Dr Imran Farooq was murdered in 2010 outside his London home. —AFP/File
MQM convener Dr Imran Farooq was murdered in 2010 outside his London home. —AFP/File

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan while speaking to media representatives on Tuesday said the accused said to be linked to the murder of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) convener Dr Imran Farooq will be brought to Islamabad, where British authorities can question them in the coming days.

He further said that the investigation that has to be conducted by the Metropolitan Police in England should be done in Islamabad. He said that a two-member team of the Met Police will arrive in the capital by the end of the week, adding that the size of the team can be increased.

“The government is in touch with the British government through diplomatic channels while the officials of the London Metropolitan Police are expected to arrive later this week to investigate Mohsin Ali and Khalid Shamim who were arrested by Frontier Constabulary near Quetta and Moazzam Ali Khan who was arrested by Rangers in Karachi,” the minister said.

Nisar said that all three accused are detained under the anti-terrorism act (ATA), adding that it is not yet decided whether interrogation would be held directly or indirectly.

Take a look: Pakistan to grant UK access to Imran Farooq murder suspects: sources

“This is a high-profile case and its complete and impartial investigation is crucial while the MQM has repeatedly said that they want to see the culprits in the court of law, hence the investigation of the case has nothing to do with the MQM,” he added.

He said Dr Imran Farooq’s murder case wasn’t registered in Pakistan because the incident took place in London.

In April this year, the interior minister announced the arrest of a man from Karachi who he described as the primary suspect in Dr Imran Farooq's murder case.

Read: Prime suspect in Imran Farooq murder placed under 90-day preventive detention

The following day, the man, Moazzam Ali, was produced in an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Karachi. Pakistan Rangers informed the ATC about a 90-day preventive detention of the suspect Moazzam Ali for questioning.

The paramilitary force informed the court that they have credible information about his involvement in target killings and other offences which fall under the domain of the ATA.

Last week, two men identified as Mohsin Ali and Khalid Shamim by Frontier Corps (FC) spokesman Khalid Wasey wanted in the murder case of Dr Imran Farooq were held held near the Pak-Afghan border in Chaman.

Know more: FC arrests two men linked to Imran Farooq murder case

Both suspects belong to a political party based in Karachi, Wasey said in a statement, without disclosing the name of the political party. The accused were handed over to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for interrogation after important revelations, Wasey said.

FC arrested both men when they entered Pakistan from Afghanistan. “Both accused were apprehended at Addah Kahol area of the border,” the spokesman said, giving no further details. Wasey said the federal interior ministry was also informed of the arrests.

MQM leader Dr Imran Farooq, aged 50, was on his way home from work when he was murdered in Green Lane on September 16, 2010 outside his London home. A post-mortem examination found that he died from multiple stab wounds and blunt trauma to the head.

Farooq claimed asylum in Britain in 1999. He was wanted in Pakistan over scores of charges including torture and murder but always claimed the accusations were politically motivated.

He had twice been elected as a lawmaker in Pakistan but went into hiding in 1992 when the government ordered a military crackdown against MQM activists in Karachi.

Opinion

Editorial

Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....
Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...