KARACHI: A sharp exchange of accusations erupted on Sunday between two factions of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) after Federal Health Minister and MQM-P leader Mustafa Kamal once again blamed party founder Altaf Hussain for the 2010 murder of senior leader Dr Imran Farooq in London.
Read More: Mustafa Kamal alleges Altaf Hussain ordered Imran Farooq killing
Addressing a press conference near the MQM-P’s Bahadurabad headquarters, Mr Kamal said that if Mr Hussain considered himself innocent, he should approach a London court and seek a transparent investigation into the killing of Dr Imran Farooq. He recalled that an Islamabad anti-terrorism court in 2020 had sentenced three men to life imprisonment in the case and declared Mr Hussain an absconder.
#کمالو_کی_ضرورت_ختم
ڈاکٹر عمران فاروق کے قتل میں
بانی و قائد الطاف حسین کا کوئی کردار نہیں۔
کمالو کا بیان/ الزام جھوٹ کا پلندہ ہے.
چوہدری طارق محمود@AltafHussain_90 @OfficialMQM pic.twitter.com/180eTBeDlE— MQM Hyderabad Zone Official (@MQMHYDOFFICIAL1) December 28, 2025
Mr Kamal’s remarks came a day after the burial of Dr Imran Farooq’s widow, Shumaila, in London. Leaders from various MQM factions, including Mr Kamal, attended the funeral and offered condolences to her two sons and other family members.
During the press conference, Mr Kamal used harsh language against Mr Hussain and alleged that donations were collected from around the world in the name of sending Shumaila’s body to Pakistan. He also expressed concern that Dr Imran Farooq’s children were being dragged into political controversies through social media.
“The children are innocent and should not be exploited for political purposes,” Mr Kamal said, advising them to distance themselves from Mr Hussain and his supporters.
In response, the London-based MQM-L faction strongly criticised Mr Kamal’s statements and rejected the allegations. Senior leader Mustafa Azizabadi, speaking during an online media briefing, termed the press conference “highly disgraceful” and accused Mr Kamal of dragging Dr Imran Farooq’s children into a political dispute.
Read More: Imran Farooq murder case: British govt agrees to hand over evidence
Mr Azizabadi also condemned the use of foul language and played video clips in which Dr Imran Farooq’s late father was seen alleging that his son’s killers were linked to Mr Kamal. He maintained that MQM-L was not levelling accusations but urged the public to form its own opinion based on available evidence.
The renewed war of words has once again highlighted deep divisions within the MQM over the unresolved and politically sensitive murder case.