Weapons used in Pakistani leader’s murder found

LONDON - Police in London have recovered a large kitchen knife and brick used in the murder of Pakistani politician Imran Farooq.

Farooq, a senior leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), was repeatedly stabbed in the head and neck during the assault in Edgware, north London Sep 16. He had claimed asylum in Britain after spending seven years on the run. He had moved to London in 1992 after a crackdown was launched by Pakistan’s military against the MQM.

The five-and-a-half inch knife and brick were found in Green Lane, where the 50-year-old was assaulted, Sky News reported Friday.

Officers are now trying to track down two Asian men in connection with Farooq’s murder. They have not yet made any arrests, but did not rule out a political motive behind the killing.

Farooq’s murder has sparked off violence in Karachi, where buildings and vehicles were set ablaze.

Shumaila Farooq, his widow, had appealed to the public and begged for anyone with information to approach police.

“Someone, somewhere knows something about my husband’s murder. He was a dedicated family man, a loving father and loving husband. His murder has devastated me and left my family in a state of shock. I want to appeal to anyone who has any information about the attack to contact the police,” she said.

A police spokesman Friday said: “A number of witnesses have already contacted police, but officers believe there are other people who may hold vital information about the incident and they continue to urge them to come forward.

MQM members here claimed the Taliban had issued a fatwa against party officials for their opposition to Islamic fundamentalism in Pakistan, giving credence to the possibility that Farooq was a victim of a political assassination, according to the Daily Mail.

Last year, the Taliban had sent a DVD to the party threatening to kill its leaders if they continued to oppose them.