Farooq wanted to replace MQM founder as party chief, suspect claims

KARACHI: A key suspect in the murder case of former Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Imran Farooq claims that Farooq wanted to take the place of party founder Altaf Hussain.

The shocking revelation was made in a confessional statement —obtained by Geo News— to a magistrate by Mohsin Ali, who is one of the key suspects in the investigation of Farooq's murder in Edgeware in 2010.

While confessing that he had played a part in the murder, Mohsin said that he had grabbed Farooq while Kashif —another suspect in the case —attacked the former MQM leader with a brick and a knife.

The suspect said that top leadership of MQM had ordered Farooq’s murder, adding that he bought knives from a one-pound shop which were concealed by Kashif in the lawn of Farooq’s residence.

Mohsin, in his statement, claimed that September 16 was chosen for Farooq’s assassination to present a ‘gift’ to Altaf Hussain on September 17, which is the birthday of MQM founder.

On Thursday, another suspect in the case Khalid Shamim made similar claims, saying the party founder gave him directions to assassinate Farooq in a telephonic speech to workers in Karachi.

A copy of the statement obtained by Geo News revealed that after the MQM founder’s speech, party leader Mohammad Anwar told him, “Listen to the speech carefully, the Quaid has left a message for you for the future”.

The suspect in the statement quoted Anwar saying that Imran Farooq was establishing another group in the party and it was necessary to stop him.

Farooq, 50, a founding member of the MQM, was stabbed and beaten to death in Edgware, northwest London, as he returned home from work on September 16, 2010.

He was twice elected a Member of Parliament in Pakistan, but went into hiding in 1992 when the government ordered a military crackdown against party activists in Karachi.

He later claimed asylum in Britain in 1999.