Imran Farooq murder case: ATC grants FIA one month to record British witnesses statements

ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday granted one more month to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for recording statements of British witnesses in Dr Imran Farooq murder case.

The testimonies of witnesses in the murder of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader in London are yet to be recorded. The FIA’s counsel sought one more month’s time to record testimonies of the foreign witnesses. While granting the time, the court told the investigation agency’s counsel that no more time extension would be allowed in the matter.

Three accused in the case were produced in the courton Monday from Adiala Jail for the hearing. Earlier, the FIA prosecution team in a letter to the British authorities had sought permission for recording testimonies of the witnesses in the case. The ATC had approved a plea to record statements of more witnesses from the UK through video link and directed for making arrangements at the Pakistan High Commission in London, said the letter which was dispatched to the UK Border Agency through the Foreign Office.

It is pertinent to mention here that the agency had also requested the court in a previous hearing to include Farooq’s wife among 32 British witnesses for the recording of statements. The witnesses also include British fingerprint experts, the director of London Academy of Management Sciences and forensic experts.

The ATC had approved the FIA’s plea for recording more statements of the UK witnesses through video link and had adjourned the hearing till January 13. Dr Farooq was stabbed and bludgeoned to death near his apartment in London in September, 2010.