KARACHI: Federal Minister for Health and MQM-P leader Syed Mustafa Kamal on Sunday alleged that Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain ordered the murder of senior party leader Dr Imran Farooq.
Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, Kamal claimed that the killing was carried out while Hussain was intoxicated and described it as a “birthday gift” for the MQM founder. He also accused Hussain of staging a dramatic display at the funeral of Dr Farooq’s widow, Shumaila Farooq, and alleged that millions of pounds in donations were sought in relation to her burial.
Kamal further alleged that Hussain had been receiving funds from the Indian intelligence agency, RAW, for 25 years, claiming that £500,000 was recovered from beneath his pillow. He urged authorities to bring all responsible for Dr Farooq’s murder to justice and offered assistance to trace the perpetrators.
Dr Imran Farooq, a founding member of MQM, was considered the party’s ideological architect, contributing to its constitution, discipline, and organizational structure. He was murdered on September 16, 2010, outside his London home. Police said he was attacked with a brick and knives by two men. Farooq had moved to London in 1999 following a security operation against MQM over alleged involvement in terrorist activities.
The murder drew international attention and led to an investigation by Scotland Yard. While several MQM members were later convicted, suspicions about senior leadership involvement persisted. In 2020, an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad convicted three Pakistani nationals—Khalid Shamim, Mohsin Ali, and Moazzam Ali—sentencing them to life imprisonment and imposing fines of Rs1 million each for Dr Farooq’s family. Property belonging to four other absconding suspects was ordered seized.
Kamal described the MQM founder as a “theatrical man” and accused him of relying on foreign funding, destroying generations, and continuing to harm people. He advised Dr Farooq’s children not to engage with Hussain.
The MQM founder’s alleged role in Dr Farooq’s death has been a long-standing point of controversy. Later investigations suggested links between the suspects and MQM, reinforcing the view that the killing was politically motivated. Dr Farooq’s death marked a turning point for MQM, which later splintered into multiple factions amid internal disputes and leadership struggles.
Dr Farooq’s widow, Shumaila Farooq, passed away in London on December 19 this year after battling throat cancer. She and the children were placed under Scotland Yard protection following the 2010 murder.
Mustafa Kamal emphasized that Hussain’s actions contributed to imprisonments and deaths in Karachi and reiterated that those responsible for Farooq’s murder must be held accountable.
