Tense Karachi braces for Dr Farooq’s funeral

Rehman says foolproof security in place | Refuses to disclose route of funeral procession | 200 special passes issued to MQM to collect body from airport

Staff Report

KARACHI – Expressing his sympathies with MQM, Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Friday that the demise of Imran Farooq was a national loss.

“I stand by MQM in this tragic time,” Malik told the media representatives after chairing a meeting held to review security arrangements for Farooq’s funeral scheduled to be held today (Saturday).

He said foolproof security steps were being taken to avoid any untoward incident. “We have two options to move Farooq’s body from the airport to the graveyard. His body could be shifted via air or land but the option cannot be disclosed for the moment due to security concerns,” Malik said.

Sindh’s Interior Minister Zulfiqar Mirza was also present on the occasion. Meanwhile, due to threats of attacks by the terrorist on Imran Farooq’s funeral procession, the authorities are considering to change the route plan for the funeral procession, it is reliably learnt.

The route plan for the funeral procession can be change by the authorities at the eleventh hour, sources said. “The coffin of the deceased leader of Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) may be directly taken by a helicopter to Jinnah Ground, Azizabad, from the airport,” sources said.

Sources said that it has been decided that on Saturday morning, the security of all routes from Star Gate to old terminal will be handed over to the volunteers of MQM. Flight no. PK788 would arrive at Jinnah International Airport at 9:35 am on Saturday and in this connection airport authorities have issued more than 200 special passes for MQM leaders and workers for collecting body directly.

Police stepped up patrols in Karachi to prevent any possible untoward situation on the eve of the arrival of Imran Farooq’s dead body. A ban had also been imposed on carrying arms during the next 48 hours in the provincial capital. Meanwhile, the Karachi Traders Action Committee announced that all markets and commercial centres would remain closed for two days (Saturday and Sunday).

Sketch of Farooq’s killer released

LONDON - Scotland Yard have released an image of a man London police wanted to question over the murder of Dr Imran Farooq in Edgware.

Officers have had no luck in tracking down two men seen battering and stabbing Dr Imran to death outside his home in Green Lane on the evening of September 16.

The 50-year-old founding member of the MQM party, headquartered in High Street, Edgware, was on his way home from work when he was jumped by the two men yards from is front door.

One suspect is described as Asian, in his late 20s or early 30s, around 5ft 4ins tall and slim build, with piercing eyes a goatee beard and a pointed, pale-skinned face with short dark hair. He was wearing a dark coloured baseball cap. The second attacker was also Asian, in his 30s, of stocky build and between 5ft 9ins and 5ft 11ins, with short black hair. - Agencies

(source:dailymailnews.com)