The Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command Unit has issued a fresh appeal for information as they try to solve the murder case of Dr Imran Farooq in Edgware on 16 September 2010. Dr Farooq was a leading politician in Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and detectives believe he was planning to renew his political career before he was killed.
Detectives investigating the murder of Dr Imran Farooq believe that he was building his independent political profile in the months before he was killed at his doorstep at 5:30PM on 16 September after he was returning from work.
They believe Dr Farooq may have been poised to renew his political career and they want to speak to anyone who was in contact with Dr Farooq over his political ambitions. On the second death anniversary of Pakistani politician who was one of the founders of MQM, the liberal party with strong base in Karachi, the Police have issued crucial new information according to which in July 2010, Dr Farooq set up a Facebook profile and amassed a large number of contacts through this social network.
The Met police has appealed the people to come forward with information. A reward of up to £20,000 has been offered for anyone providing information leading to the identification, arrest, and prosecution of those responsible for Dr Farooq's murder.
Detectives from the Counter Terrorism Command unit expressed resolve that they “remain committed to finding those responsible” for the killing of Dr Farooq.
A post-mortem gave his cause of death as multiple stab wounds and blunt trauma to the head. A five and a half inch-bladed kitchen knife and a house brick used in the attack were recovered at the scene.
The police statement issued on Friday morning said that Dr Farooq’s murder “would have required careful planning and would have required help from other people, some of whom may have provided assistance or information unwittingly”.
The police appeal continued that detectives want to “speak to anyone who was asked for information about Dr Farooq and his routine, or who was asked to help buy items such as knives similar to those used in the murder, or mobile phones around the time of the attack. Police would also like to speak to anyone who may have been asked to drive people around the Green Lane area in the days before the murder, or who may have witnessed the suspects leaving the scene.
The police said “they understand that people may have concerns in speaking to the police and would like to offer reassurance that information will be dealt with sensitively.”
Speaking to a private Pakistani TV channel condition of anonymity, a police source said that they were getting full help from the leadership of MQM in London and members of the public had provided crucial help in making the latest appeal possible.