KARACHI: Khalid Shamim, a key suspect in the Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Dr Imran Farooq murder case, is being mentally and physically tortured in a Rawalpindi prison and his life is in danger, his wife told the media here on Monday.

Bina Khalid also raised some important questions at a press conference here at the Karachi Press Club and disputed the official version that her husband was arrested while crossing into Pakistan from Afghanistan in June 2015.

She claimed that Shamim was taken into custody on Jan 6, 2011 at Malir Halt in front of her.

She said that a petition regarding Shamim’s illegal detention was filed on Jan 12, 2011 in the Sindh High Court and an FIR regarding her husband’s disappearance was also lodged at the Model Colony police station on a directive of the Supreme Court.

She said her husband had no link with the MQM and he never visited the United Kingdom, but he was forced to give a false statement. “My husband is a Pakistani citizen and he has been in the custody of Pakistani authorities for the past five years,” she said.

She also questioned as to why a murder case was registered in Pakistan and the state had become a complainant when Dr Farooq was assassinated in the UK, an investigation into his killing was being carried out in London and his family was also residing there.

Ms Khalid demanded that her husband be sent to the UK to unearth the truth.

She alleged that the investigations conducted by local authorities were aimed at covering up the real culprits.

She appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take notice of the situation and allow her meeting with her husband.

In reply to a question, she said her family was an MQM supporter and voter but she had not contacted the party for any help in this case.

Explore: ATC helps relatives meet Imran Farooq murder suspect

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2015