Exiled Pakistani politician murdered in London

Dr Imran Farooq – a leading member of the MQM (Muttahida Quami Movement) party – was found with head injuries and stab wounds in north London at 5.30pm.

Police said they were called to reports of a serious assault in Green Lane, Edgware, north London.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "When officers arrived they found an Asian male, aged 50, suffering from multiple stab wounds and head injuries.

"He was treated by paramedics at the scene but was pronounced dead at 18.37. The next of kin have been informed."

He said no arrests had been made.

Dr Farooq is thought to have claimed asylum in the UK after years on the run as one of Pakistan's most-wanted fugitives. He said he was implicated on a range of charges including criminal and terrorist activities but insisted the allegations were politically motivated.

He claimed in November 1992 that he was wanted "dead or alive". "(This gave] licence and impunity to every individual in Pakistan to assassinate me," he said.

Dr Farooq, who was Secretary General of the party at the time, said he spent more than seven years in hiding in Karachi, southern Pakistan.

He continued: "It was impossible for me to remain in Pakistan due to the continued threat on my life and liberty."

In Pakistan, he had served as Convenor of the party's Co-ordination Committee.

The MQM is the dominant party in Pakistan's largest city, Karachi. The former Pakistani parliamentarian was one of its founding members.