Imran Farooq
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Imran Farooq | |
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Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan | |
In office 30 November 1988 – 6 August 1990 | |
Constituency | NA-187 (Karachi Central-II)[1] |
Personal details | |
Born | Pakistani British | 14 June 1960
Political party | Muttahida Qaumi Movement |
Spouse | Shumaila Nazar |
Children | 2[2] |
Parent(s) | Mohammad Farooq Ahmed and Raisa Farooq |
Occupation | Physician, politician |
Website | drimranfarooq.org |
Imran Farooq (
Biography
Imran Farooq was born in
In 2019, several news agencies reported that Shumaila Farooq was living in extreme poverty with her two sons, relying on handouts from the British government.[8] In 2020, on a Geo News talk show, she revealed that she was diagnosed with Stage 2 Oral Cancer in 2019 and that none of the leaders of MQM reached out for help.[9]
Although he was not a writer by profession, Farooq authored several works during his lifetime. His best known contribution is The Guiding Principles of MQM.[10]
Mohajir Quami Movement
In 1978, Farooq helped established the All Pakistan Muhajir Student Organization. When in 1984, it gave birth to the Mohajir Quami Movement (MQM), Farooq served as its first Secretary General and Convener.
By 1992, the MQM had become a political force in Karachi. In an effort to curtail its power, the
and other senior members of the party from exile. When Farooq left Pakistan, he had a bounty on his head. Farooq was charged with terrorism, which he denied upon arrival in London.[14][15] The charges against Farooq were challenged by his mother in 1992 in the Sindh High Court (SHC). The SHC's verdict declared the bounty to be illegal and unconstitutional; the consequent appeal by the provincial Government of Sindh was dismissed by the Supreme Court.[16]Farooq maintained close relations with Altaf Hussain, who called Farooq his "staunch, loyal, and senior companion." In 2004, when Farooq got married in London, Hussain attended the festivities.[17][18][19]
Murder, investigation and conviction
Farooq was found murdered near his home in North London on 16 September 2010. The murder took place at 5:30 p.m. as Farooq was returning home after finishing work at a local pharmacy.[20][21][22]
The
An unidentified suspect was arrested in December 2010.[23]
Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Counter Terrorism Command detectives investigating Farooq's murder believe that he was building his independent political profile in the months before he was killed.[24]
In June 2013, British police arrested Iftikhar Hussain, a primary suspect in the murder case. According to sources familiar with the developments, the detainee is a relative of a top Pakistani politician. The arrest was made in response to forensic evidence gathered by the police. The
According to sources privy to the development at Scotland Yard, the information obtained from the SIM of Iftikhar Hussain has brought previously unknown facts and connections into the limelight. According to the Yard, the killing may be politically motivated with the secondary objective of money-laundering. However, the police refrained from disclosing the information as the investigation is currently ongoing.[26]
A prominent Pakistan journalist,
Major suspect of the murder case, Khalid Shamim, confessed on 10 November 2016 that all the planning of murder took place on Nine Zero. He revealed that 16 September was chosen as the date to murder as a birthday gift to Altaf Hussain.[28]
On 18 June 2020, ten years since his murder, an anti-terrorism court of Islamabad convicted the three accused namely: Syed Mohsin Ali, Moazzam Ali and Khalid Shamim. They were sentenced to life imprisonment and were also imposed a fine of Rs 1.2 million each for the murder.[29]
Reactions to death
Pakistani President
Altaf Hussain also lauded Farooq's long relationship with him and said he was at a loss to explain his grief at Dr. Farooq's death, adding that Farooq had set an example for others to follow.[34] He also called Farooq a "Shaheed-e-Inqalab" or Martyr of the Revolution. Altaf Hussain also very publicly mourned the death of his colleague.[35]
Following reports of his death, violence erupted in his native city of Karachi, Pakistan's main commercial city. Several shops and vehicles were set on fire; however, no casualties were reported. MQM called for a 10-day strike to mourn Farooq's death.[36]
Recitations of the Quran and prayers were organised by members of MQM across the world.[37]
References
- ^ "8TH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FROM 1988 TO 1990 LIST OF MEMBERS & ADDRESSES" (PDF). na.gov.pk. National Assembly of Pakistan. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
- ^ "Brief profile of Dr Imran Farooq.(1960–2010)". Muttahida Quami Movement. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Dr Imran Farooq: a profile". Dawn. 18 September 2010. Retrieved 6 October 2010.
- ^ Sri Lanka Guardian: Who killed Dr. Imran Farooq?
- ^ "History of Pakistan". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
- ^ "The murder in suburbia that sent shockwaves across the world". Independent. 18 September 2010. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
- ^ "Imran Farooq Wedding". MQM USA. 13 February 2004. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
- ^ "What happened to Imran Farooq's widow?".
- ^ "Dr Imran Farooq's wife breaks down while explaining how MQM abandoned her".
- ^ "The Guiding Principles" (PDF). MQM USA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
- ^ "Brief Profile of Dr. Imran Farooq". MQM USA. Retrieved 6 October 2010.
- ^ "MQM stunned as Imran Farooq is assassinated in London". Dawn. 17 September 2010. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
- ^ "Pakistani fugitive claims asylum in UK". BBC News. 10 September 1999. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
- ^ "The Murder in Suburbia..." Dawn. 18 September 2010. Retrieved 6 October 2010.
- ^ "Pakistani Fugitive Claims Asylum in UK". Dawn. 17 September 2010. Retrieved 6 October 2010.
- ^ "Head Money on MQM Men". Dawn. 29 May 2003. Archived from the original on 20 January 2005. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
- ^ "Imran Farooq's Wedding Celebration". MQM. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
- ^ "MQM". MQM. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
- ^ "Imran Farooq's burial planned in Karachi". Dawn. 18 September 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
- ^ a b "Pakistani politician Imran Farooq murdered in London". BBC News. 17 September 2010. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
- ^ "Imran Farooq murdered outside London home". The Guardian. 17 September 2010. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
- ^ Shah, Murtaza Ali. "Police find knife, brick used to kill Imran Farooq". The News International. 2 October 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
- ^ "The News International: Latest News Breaking, Pakistan News".
- ^ "Home".
- ^ "Iftikhar Hussain held in Imran Farooq murder case". Express Tribune. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- ^ "Imran Farooq murder: Political workers, politician's wife being investigated". The Express Tribune. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
- ^ "Imran Farooq had complained to London police about threat". The News International. 8 July 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
- ^ "Khalid Shamim confessed murder".
- ^ "Court rules 'absconding' Altaf ordered Imran Farooq's murder". Dawn. 19 June 2020.
- ^ "President condemns Dr Imran Farooq's murder". Geo TV. 17 September 2010. Archived from the original on 21 September 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
- ^ "PM Gilani telephones Altaf Hussain, condoles upon Dr. Imran's murder". Dunya News. 19 September 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
- ^ "Senate pays rich tribute to Thahim, Dr Farooq". The Express Tribune. 21 September 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
- ^ "Pakistani high commissioner pays tribute to Dr Imran Farooq, murdered in Edgware last night". Hendon and Finchley Times. 17 September 2010. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
- The News. 19 September 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
- ^ "Imran Farooq is Shaheed-e-Inqilab: Altaf". The Nation. 18 September 2010. Archived from the original on 28 January 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
- ^ "Violence erupts in Pakistan after politician's death". CNN. 17 September 2010. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
- AAJ News. 20 September 2010.