Dr Imran Farooq murder case Pakistan to hand over two accused to UK soon

KARACHI: The London police so far have not been able to solve the murder case of Dr Imran Farooq, a senior leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, said Shahzeb Khanzada in the beginning of his analysis in Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’ on Thursday.It is being said that two accused in the case are under arrest in Pakistan and, according to sources, the government has decided to hand them over to the British government.
Interestingly either their presence or their arrest has not been confirmed on government level but there were reports in the national and international media about them. It has now been decided to hand over these two accused - Mohsin Ali Syed and Muhammad Kashif Khan - to Britain. There is, however, a legal hitch as Pakistan had kept their arrest a secret. Reports said a solution to this hindrance has also been found and now the two accused would be shown arrested from somewhere outside Pakistan and then they would be ‘arrested again’ by the Interpol, which would later hand them over to Britain.
The issue was discussed recently by Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in a meeting with the British High Commissioner, who flew to Britain to finalise the matter.Speaking on the programme, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad said: “Had the MQM been supporting Saulat Mirza, it would have protested against his conviction.” He said care should be taken while speaking about Saulat as he has been convicted by the superior court of Pakistan.Dr Ebad said it should be seen how much weight could be given to the statement of such convict.
He said: “Saulat Mirza has also talked about me in the backdrop of my services to Sindh and Karachi for 12 years. Of course there have been achievements and setbacks. I have worked with three presidents and many chief ministers. The business community and the citizens acclaim for taking the city out of crises. It would, therefore, be justified that before taking note of the allegations he levelled against me, the truth, fairness as well as his goodwill is also given a consideration.”
He pointed out that the office of the governor has a constitutional status. Thousands of people visit the office with their problems where efforts are made to provide relief. He said the family of Saulat Mirza had also approached me for help and I could have sent him to Karachi central jail as the family was facing problems to visit him in the jail of other province. He said my office did not go out of the way to help anyone. There was not a single incident that I helped anyone unlawfully.
Dr Ebad said he had no pressure from any side to leave his post and added that he also does not want to quit. He said the MQM also does not want him to quit the office.
Referring to his meeting with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar, he said: “We had normal and routine discussion. I agree with the minister that the current issues are legal and should be dealt with according to law.”
When asked about his relations with Altaf Hussain, Dr Ebad said: “We are on good terms. I do not have any connection with the party now, but Altaf Hussain, may say anything being senior. I talked to him even today and he asked me about the situation and I informed whatever I knew.”
He said Altaf Hussain never asked me to support any criminal. Instead he told me that there were reports that the MQM has criminals in its ranks and desired that there should be cleansing and also told the authorities to pick up if there are any criminals in the MQM.
Ishratul Ebad said the law-enforcing agencies are working very efficiently and taking action against criminals and terrorists. There is no difference of opinion upon their efforts. The law enforces say that criminals should be eliminated and the same is the will of the MQM. He pointed out that several people engaged in illegal activities have been ousted from the MQM.
He said the law enforcers do not want to stop the political activities of the MQM, rather they want the party to continue its political activities, while they also want to continue their job of law enforcing.
Dr Ebad said he is not worried over re-opening of Saulat Mirza’s case. “I have my hands clean. Anyone may say anything, but will have to prove it. There are forums available for this purpose and I will refer to them if needed.”
A leader of the Tehrik-e-Insaf, Faisal Wadawa said 12,000 people have been killed during the last 12 years. This is not an issue of the political parties but is the issue of Karachiites. The PTI leader said it was an interesting joke that the People’s Party said it stood with the MQM in its difficult time.
He told the PPP that it is also a difficult time for the party as a Saulat Mirza in the shape of Nazeer Baloch is about to arrive for it. He asserted there would be no peace until and unless there is accountability of handlers of the criminals.
Dr Farooq Sattar of the MQM said he rejects all allegations of Sahulat Mirza outright. His statement is part of the ongoing propaganda and media trial of the MQM. He said it appears that under the cover of curbing crimes an agenda of eliminating the MQM is underway. He said Saulat Mirza’s statement from the death cell is something strange and unique in the history of the country. There is no provision for such act in the Constitution.
Dr Farooq told Khanzada that his programme would have become more interesting had he included the statement of Saulat Mirza’s wife along with the statements of her husband and Altaf Hussain.
He reminded that Saulat Mirza was ousted from the party for the second time when he had returned to the country for the second time. He stated that Saulat Mirza’s family still casts votes for the MQM. He pointed out that it was alleged that the MQM had been hindering hanging of Saulat Mirza earlier. He said the party is considering to challenge Saulat Mirza’s statement in the court. He said if Chaudhry Nisar is ready to own Saulat Mirza’s statements, he should come to court where we will face him. He also asked under what sections of the Constitution Saulat Mirza’s case would be reopened.