Karachi ablaze as exiled politican killed in London

Gangs torched vehicles and a shop in Pakistan's largest city after a senior politician from the local ruling party was stabbed to death in London.

Gas stations, schools and markets in Karachi were closed yesterday and no public transport was running as news of the stabbing of Imran Farooq spread.Farooq was a member of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, one of Pakistan's major parties and the largest in the coalition governing Karachi. The MQM — elements of which have long been suspected of gangsterism — is also an important member of the federal government in Islamabad.

The slaying could have implications for national political stability, especially if the MQM accuses its rivals of being involved.

Yesterday an MQM leader said the party thought Farooq, 50, was killed in response to controversial statements by the leader of party, who himself lives in self-imposed exile in London.

The Metropolitan Police said no arrests had been made and did not speculate on the motive.

Farooq's body was found in north London with multiple stab wounds and head wounds.

In a statement, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani condemned the killing.

"We have suspended all party activities for 10 days to mourn Imran Farooq's tragic death," said its deputy chief, Farooq Sattar. "It was a great loss to the party and the family."

Yesterday morning, more than a dozen people broke into a plastics shop and set it on fire near the MQM headquarters, witnesses said. Elsewhere in the city, youths blocked the main road and torched two buses, said Asif Khan, an area resident. Local media reports also said some vehicles were burned and shots fired in the city of more than 16 million.

The MQM is accused by critics and independent observers of being heavily involved in illegal activities and gangsterism in the city. Hundreds of its supporters have been killed over the last 20 years, including leaders, in gang warfare in Karachi, including dozens this year alone.

The MQM's leader Altaf Hussain lives in London after leaving in 1992 amid an army operation against the party, which the generals had accused of criminal activities. According to the MQM's website, Farooq left Pakistan the same year. Neither man returned to Pakistan since.