Kamal claims to have killed ‘gift’ on Altaf’s birthday, Azizabadi says Kamal only speaks when ‘his masters pull the strings’
KARACHI:
After the death of Shumaila Imran, the widow of slain Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Dr. Imran Farooq, rival party factions – MQM-London and MQM-Pakistan – have been locked in a bitter blame game, with both sides accusing each other of orchestrating the assassination of the party’s erstwhile stalwart.
The war of words began on Sunday when MQM-P leader Mustafa Kamal claimed during a press conference in Karachi that Altaf Hussain had ordered the killing of Dr. Imran Farooq. Kamal described his former political boss – the MQM founder – as “a theatrical man” who performed “object songs over corpses” and considered himself a ruler.
Kamal further claimed that Dr. Imran Farooq was killed as a “gift” on the MQM founder’s birthday, adding that an appeal for donations was also made in connection with the killing. He alleged that the MQM founder was dependent on foreign funding, destroyed generations and continued to harm people and urged Dr. Farooq’s children to not engage with him.
Kamal also stated that he had been in contact with Dr. Farooq’s widow and children, who were placed under Scotland Yard protection after the murder.
Reacting sharply to the allegations, MQM-London Rabita Committee convener Mustafa Azizabadi termed Kamal’s press conference as an extremely shameful attempt to drag Dr. Imran Farooq’s family into what he described as dirty politics.
He demanded concrete evidence of Altaf Hussain’s involvement in the murder, arguing that if Mustafa Kamal was truthful, he should provide proof of his claims. Azizabadi also said that Kamal should be ashamed of himself if he failed to produce evidence to support his claims. However, he also held Kamal responsible for dr. Imran Farooq’s murder.
Azizabadi further revealed that the Bahadurabad faction of the MQM-P was unhappy with Kamal due to what he described as his erratic behaviour, claiming that Kamal only spoke when “his masters pull the strings.” “Mustafa Kamal is working on an agenda to bury the words MQM and Mohajir,” Azizabadi alleged.
Later, the head of another MQM faction, Afaq Ahmed, also joined the controversy, lashing out at Mustafa Kamal and questioning the motive behind what he called a sudden and surprising press conference. “On whose instructions were you obliged to use such harsh words against your former spiritual father, Altaf Hussain?” Afaq asked. He further remarked, “Alas, the nation knows what your role was in it. Where were you on the day of Dr. Imran Farooq’s murder?”
Interestingly, Mustafa Kamal suddenly arrived in Bahadurabad along with his associates on Sunday after a gap of several months, but no leader or worker of MQM-Pakistan welcomed him. MQM sources said that the party leadership had prior knowledge of the press conference by the Mustafa Kamal group but deliberately avoided meeting them.
Read more: Mustafa Kamal accuses Altaf Hussain of ordering Imran Farooq’s killing
Dr. Imran Farooq and his wife both breathed their last in London
Dr. Imran Farooq’s wife, Shumaila Farooq, died in London on 19 December. Her body was brought to Karachi for burial. She was reportedly suffering from throat cancer.
Shumaila’s husband Dr. Imran Farooq was among the founding members of the MQM when it began as a student movement. He was widely regarded as the party’s ideological architect and played a key role in shaping its constitution, discipline and organizational structure.
He was murdered on 16 September 2010 in London. Police said he was attacked outside his home after returning from work. Two men attacked him with a brick and knives and killed him on the spot.
Dr. Farooq had moved to London in 1999 following a security force operation against the MQM over allegations of involvement in terrorist activities.
The killing attracted international attention and led to a lengthy investigation by Scotland Yard. While several MQM members were later convicted, allegations of involvement of senior party leadership have persisted.
Trial and judgments
In 2020, an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad sentenced three Pakistani citizens for Dr. Imran Farooq’s murder. Khalid Shamim, Mohsin Ali and Moazzam Ali, all MQM members, were sentenced to life imprisonment. Each was also fined Rs 1 million to be paid to Dr. Farooq’s family.
British police shared evidence with Pakistani authorities after receiving assurances that the accused would not face the death penalty.
The court also ordered the seizure of property belonging to four other suspects who remain on the run. Later investigations revealed that suspects identified as Syed and Kamran had links with MQM. Investigators said this reinforced the view that the killing was politically motivated.
Dr. Farooq’s death marked a turning point for the MQM. The party, which once dominated Karachi’s politics for decades, later splintered into several factions amid leadership disputes and internal divisions.
