Pakistan denies British sleuths direct access to Imran Farooq murder suspects

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The investigators of Scotland Yard could make little headway on Wednesday in the probe into the murder of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Imran Farooq, as the Interior Ministry did not give them direct access to Moazzam Ali Khan and two other suspects in the case, Pakistan Today has learnt.

A source privy to the ongoing investigation revealed on the condition of anonymity that Scotland Yard investigators were likely to visit Pakistan again next week.

“The interior minister has decided that for the time being, the investigators would be provided indirect access to Moazzam Ali Khan. Therefore, the JIT has started interrogation of Moazzam on the basis of the information provided by Scotland Yard. The JIT would also interrogate two suspects related to the murder of Dr Imran Farooq, including Mohsin Ali and Khalid Shamim,” the source said.

“The JIT interrogated Moazzam Khan with the help of information shared by the Scotland Yard,” the source said.

The Scotland Yard team had met with the JIT earlier on Monday and shared its investigation on murder case of the MQM’s top leader.

Moazzam Ali Khan had been arrested from the vicinity of MQM’s headquarters in Azizabad, Karachi some three months back and was shifted to Islamabad for further investigation. Mohsin Ali and Khalid Shamim were reportedly arrested by FC from Chaman, Quetta.

The official said that the JIT had been formed under Article 245 of the Constitution which enables the army to come to the aid of the civilian government.

“The JIT includes a member from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Sindh Rangers each. FIA Director Inam Ghani is heading the team and is working with special powers under direct supervision of Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan,” the source revealed. Normally the JIT is formed under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and does not include members from the ISI or the Rangers.