Adil Najam
The murder of Dr. Imran Farooq – one of the founders of MQM, a central figure in the development of the party and a key architect of its conceptual and ideological foundations – in London has sent shock around Pakistani political circles, particularly in Karachi.
Once second in prominence in MQM circles only to Altaf Hussain, Imran Farooq has been out of political news for many years now and had distanced himself – or been distanced – from mainstream day-to-day MQM affairs. The reasons why have remained unclear but the stuff of rumor mills. His murder in London is bound to reignite the rumor mills again. Indeed, they already have.
It remains unclear what happened in London. But it is clear that the repercussions of what happened there will be felt in Karachi and beyond well into and after the 10-day “mourning period” declared by MQM. Right now all television channels seem more engrossed in showing MQM leader Altaf Hussain’s near hysterical breakdown at MQM’s London offices, but we need to also begin thinking through the many critical questions that remain unanswered: Was this a run of the mill mugging and murder in a large international metropolis, or an international political targeting? If the later, who was behind it and why? But most important of all: what, if anything, does this mean for MQM; and by extension for Karachi and Pakistan?
Details still remain sketchy and there are more rumors floating than facts. This report from Dawn lays out the essential details:
Dr Imran Farooq, a founding leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the organisation’s first secretary general, was assassinated in London on Thursday evening. Dr Farooq also served as the party’s only convener.
Television reports, quoting party and family sources, said Dr Farooq was attacked by some unidentified men with daggers near his London residence. He died of multiple wounds. But according to one source, a lone assailant had been lying in wait inside the apartment block where Dr Farooq lived on the first floor. He was attacked with a knife when he was climbing the stairs. He died on the spot.
At first the MQM leadership tried to keep the murder under wraps. Meetings in different cities to mark the 57th birthday of the party’s founding leader, Altaf Hussain, were suddenly cancelled for “unavoidable reasons” and supporters were told by senior leader Dr Farooq Sattar to go home. Tens of thousands of people had assembled in different places in Karachi, Hyderabad and other towns in Sindh to celebrate their leader’s birthday.
At the same time, the MQM leadership in Karachi and London went into closed-door sessions to discuss the situation arising out of the development. Reports from London said the police had cordoned off the apartment block and preliminary investigations had begun. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack so far and no arrests have been made.
Dr Imran Farooq is remembered by Muttahida loyalists as one of the key figures who laid the foundation for the All Pakistan Mohajir Students’ Organisation (APMSO), which eventually turned out to be a forerunner of the MQM. During the early 1980s, the APMSO was converted into a fully fledged political party to advocate the cause of the Urdu-speaking popuce, mainly in Karachi and other parts of urban Sindh. With Altaf Hussain as its leader, the bespectacled Dr Farooq was appointed secretary general of the party. He was also regarded as one of the main ideologues and the brain behind education of the party cadre.
When in 1992 Altaf Hussain went into self-imposed exile in the wake of a military crackdown, Dr Farooq went underground in Karachi, running the party from hiding. Although he was declared absconder by the then government, he continued to dodge the authorities. Eventually he managed to slip out of the country on a fake passport and under an assumed name. After arriving in London, he applied for political asylum. In the initial years he was one of the main players who helped Altaf Hussain oversee the party’s restructuring from London.
However, a couple of years ago differences emerged, sending Dr Farooq into obscurity. Since then he had been living the life of a recluse, with no role in party affairs. Even then his brutal killing sent the Muttahida rank and file into a daze, leaving them searching for answers.
May Allah forgive his sins and guide those who are left behind. Pakistani politics make everyone a killer and in many parties killers are politicians. Survival game. Azim Tariq was killed when intelligence was getting closer to him to offer him the top job. Sometimes event repeats itself with different characters. Whatever happens, Karachi and Pakistan pays for it and , may be, the murder was meant to do that.
Death of Dr. Farooq is a sad moment for Karachiites because they are the only ones who have to face the repercussions of this incident. While working on some assignment I received an SMS. I cannot claim whether its true or false but it said:
“Imran Farooq has been killed by Altaf Bhai’s covert team becoz Dr. Imran had a secret group within MQM and he tried to launch a new faction with the name of MQM – Amn Pasand Group upon the instructions of Retd. General Pervez Musharraf few years back. He was to join the team of former dictator upon his return to country. Dr. Imran’s other key team members included Babar Ghauri, Former City Mayor Mostafa Kamal and Wasim Akhtar. This may be the reason for which they are not in limelight after this unpleasant incident back there in London”.
Lets Pray that All ends well.
Pakistan Zindabad.
The irony is that i should be sad as a human life is lost…..but i am in rofl as i am watching altaf bhai crying….best comedy i have seen in years
@Faisal: Agree with you.
Imran Farooq’s past was not all that stainless.Farooq was alleged to have been involved in numerous terrorist activities including Hakeem Saeed and Salahuddin’s gruesome murders.
He refused to face the courts and instead let other party workers face the wrath of rangers and the army while he himself went underground and eventually flew to London on a stolen passport.
This is not the stuff leaders are made of.
It takes guts and nerves made of steel to be a leader.Farooq did not pass the test.
Another MQM leader/worker also tainted with murder charges is Saleem Shahzad,who,it is alleged escaped to India,only to re-appear in London several years later.
This is called dark justice. He flew from Pakistan to escape his death but got killed under the best ever security. I m not pleased on his death niether i m sad. He was accused in Hakim Saeed Case and Salahuddin Case aswell.
Lately i have also heard that he was preparing to launch his own party. Whatever has happend but there is one thing that i m impressed with the live performance of altaf bahi. Indeed we have got talent :))))))