Friday, September 17, 2010

Violence fears in Pakistan after Imran Farooq's murder

"This is the most tragic event in the history of our party", says a red-eyed Farooq Sattar.

Mr Sattar is head of the MQM's leadership in Pakistan. He was speaking to the BBC in a small crowded room in the ancestral home of the now-deceased Imran Farooq.

Sitting beside him is a frail and weary looking Farooq Ahmed - father of the slain MQM leader.

We had arrived a little earlier at the Farooq residence in the Karachi's middle-class neighbourhood of Sharifabad. Located near the heart of the city, it is made up of apartment complexes - and small three-storey houses. The Farooq residence is just such a building.

Hundreds of grim-looking mourners are packed into the narrow lanes leading up to the house.

There is also a great deal of anger, although it has been muted so far.

Security is tight - there is a strong presence of paramilitary rangers and police.

MQM activists have also set up several checkpoints where all cars and pedestrians are thoroughly searched.

We have just driven down from the nearby MQM party headquarters. There were fewer people there, but just as tight security.

The party leadership in Pakistan is now debating what should be their future strategy.
'Cause not accomplished'

Despite the fact the murder took place thousands of miles away, there is real fear here.

After many years of relative calm, it appears the MQM is once again feeling under siege.

Imran Farooq - picture provided by MQM party

* Imran Farooq's key role in Pakistani politics
* Running Pakistan's biggest city - from London

"I spoke to my son a day before the incident - he was fine and spoke cheerfully," Mr Ahmed says.

Sitting on a bed across from him is his wife Raeesa, who breaks out in tears at the mention of her dead son's name.

"My boy was a good man - he only fought for the poor and underpriviledged," she says.

"I was so afraid for him when the operation started - but was happy when he appeared in London.

"Even though he was so far away, at least he was safe."

Both parents say the last time they saw their son was back in May 2009.

"He was happy with life and committed to his work in the party," his father says. "On Wednesday, he was telling me how his children were doing - he was quite pleased."

However, he refrained from commenting who might be behind the murder: "I can't say who was responsible."

He does add something rather cryptically.

"The situation is still the same, " Mr Ahmed says, referring to MQM's struggle against he country's status quo. "The cause for which he was fighting has not been accomplished. Being in the government was never the goal."

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