The Metropolitan Police has issued a fresh appeal for information as they try to solve the murder of Dr Imran Farooq in Edgware in September 2010.
Days before the second death anniversary of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s leader, the police appealed again to the people to come forward with any information that may lead to the identification, arrest and prosecution of those involved in the murder and has offered a reward of £20,000 in this regard.
Detectives from the MPS’s Counter Terrorism Command probing the murder of believe that Farooq may have been building his independent political profile months before he was murdered in London.
The police claimed to have knowledge that Farooq had setup a Facebook account in July 2010 and had amassed a large number of contacts using the social networking website.
The Scotland Yard team also believes that Farooq may have been poised to renew his political career and said that they would want to speak to anyone who was in contact with him over his political ambitions.
Farooq was murdered on 16 September 2010 in London.
Police believe his murder was planned and several people may have been involved.
They are asking anyone who was in contact with him about his plans to get in touch with them so they can build up a picture of his political life.
The authorities had launched an investigation and had also arrested a suspect who was released later for lack of evidence.
Farooq had co-founded the All Pakistan Mohajir Students Organisation (APMSO), the parent organisation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, with Altaf Hussain. He was deputy convener of the party, technically next in line to the MQM chief.
But he was believed to have left the party in 2009 after developing differences over organisational matters.
Anyone who can assist should call the police incident room on +44 (0)20 8721 3784 or contact the police by email at SO15Mailbox-.DrFarooqMurder@met.police.uk
Those who wish to remain anonymous could call Crimestoppers, a charity which is independent of the police, on 0800 555 111 within the UK. Alternatively the Crimestoppers untraceable online form could also be used to pass on information at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.