Dr Imran’s body reaches Jinnah Ground for funeral prayer

KARACHI: The body of slain leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Dr. Imran Farooq, arrived at Jinnah Ground in Azizabad for the last religious ritual from the party’s headquarter Nine Zero amid stringent security, Geo News reported Saturday.

A large number of people including MQM leaders are present here for the funeral prayers. Maulana Asad Thanvi will lead the funeral prayers of the deceased leader of Muttahida.

His body will be laid to rest here in Karachi today in Shuhada Cemetery in Yaseenabad. All arrangements regarding funeral and burial have been completed.

Massive security arrangements are in place at Jinnah Ground, which has been cleared and no one is being allowed to enter the place without proper pass for identification. The people in large number have already arrived and lined up here for the funeral.

Metal detectors and other security doors have been erected here. The air-supervision will continue until the body is laid to rest.

Earlier, the family, friends and party leaders cast the last glance at the face of deceased Imran Farooq.

It should be mentioned here that the flight with the MQM’s deceased leader landed at the airport at about 1015am today.

Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, Federal Interior Minister Rehman A Malik, several MQM leaders including Babar Ghauri, Mustafa Kamal, Wasim Akhtar, Khushbakht Shujaat, Sardar Ahmed, Shuaib Bukhari, Faisal Sabzwari, Adil Siddiqui, Kanwar Naveed, Dr Imran’s mother-in-law and other in-laws received the body at the airport.

At the airport, the MQM leaders wrapped the coffin of Dr Imran’s body in party’s flag and placed the coffin in an ambulance of Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation.

The entire route of the coffin motorcade was secured. The large motorcade consisting many vehicles, was air-monitored by two helicopters of law-enforcers. The security at the Nine Zero and around Imran residence in Shareefabad is extremely tight. From Karachi Airport to Star Gate, Rashid Minhas Road, from Nipa bridge to Azizabad was cleared under VIP-level security.

Rehman Malik and Governor Ibad aboard a helicopter air-inspected the security in the city through the route of cavalcade carrying the coffin of Dr Imran Farooq.

Also, the snipers were positioned on rooftops and people were asked not to appear on their rooftops. However, people in large number were seen witnessing the cavalcade passing.

Traders’ community announced to keep their commercial and trade centers close in mourning. Transporters announced not to run their vehicles. Most petrol pumps are closed in view of security situation.

It should be mentioned here that the MQM cancelled all political activities from November 4 to 7.

The CCPO Karachi Fayyaz Leghari said the MQM is satisfied with the security arrangements, adding all roads have been made secure.

‘We are monitoring the law and order situation every moment,’ Leghari said adding, ‘We are making every effort to maintain the peace through the burial of Dr Imran Farooq.’

Leghari said the police personnel Karachi East and West zones are on high alert amid Section-144 imposed in the city. All city’s hospitals are functioning under emergency. All educational institutions are closed today and hence, all examinations have been put off.

The delegations of various political parties including Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Functional) were also present at the airport to receive the body on the occasion.