‘Murder Ordered as a Birthday Gift’: Kamal Levels New Allegations Against Altaf Hussain

 

KARACHI — Senior Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader and Federal Minister Mustafa Kamal on Sunday accused the party’s founder, Altaf Hussain, of ordering the murder of senior MQM leader Dr Imran Farooq.

Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Kamal alleged that Hussain — while intoxicated — issued instructions for the killing, which he claimed was subsequently carried out on the MQM founder’s orders.

Dr Imran Farooq was one of the founding figures of the MQM during its early years as a student-led movement. He was widely regarded as a key ideological force behind the party and played an instrumental role in shaping its organisational framework, discipline, and constitution.

He was murdered on September 16, 2010, in London, where police reported that he was attacked outside his residence after returning from work. According to investigators, two assailants used a brick and knives in the fatal assault.

Farooq had moved to London in 1999 following a security operation against the MQM over allegations of involvement in terrorism-related activities. His killing prompted an extensive investigation by Scotland Yard and attracted international scrutiny. Although several MQM members were later convicted, questions over the involvement of senior leadership have continued.

During the press conference, Kamal described Altaf Hussain as a “theatrical man” who, according to him, exploited tragedies for public spectacle. He further alleged that Hussain sought millions of pounds in donations in connection with the repatriation of Dr Farooq’s body to Pakistan, and claimed the murder was carried out as a “gift” on the MQM founder’s birthday.

Dr Farooq’s wife, Shumaila Farooq, passed away in London on December 19 this year after reportedly battling throat cancer. Kamal said he had maintained contact with her and the couple’s children, who had been placed under Scotland Yard protection following the murder.

He also accused the MQM founder of relying on foreign funding and causing long-term harm to communities, urging Dr Farooq’s children to distance themselves from him.

Trial and Convictions

In 2020, an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad convicted three Pakistani nationals — Khalid Shamim, Mohsin Ali and Moazzam Ali — all identified as MQM members, for their role in Dr Farooq’s murder. They were each sentenced to life imprisonment and fined Rs1 million, payable to the victim’s family. British authorities shared evidence with Pakistan after receiving assurances that the death penalty would not be imposed.

The court also ordered the confiscation of properties belonging to four absconding suspects. Subsequent investigations linked individuals identified as Syed and Kamran to the MQM, reinforcing investigators’ position that the murder was politically motivated.

Dr Imran Farooq’s assassination marked a major turning point for the MQM, which went on to fragment into multiple factions amid internal rifts and leadership disputes after years of political dominance in Karachi.