London/Karachi, September 17
Dr Imran Farooq, a leading Pakistani Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) politician living in exile here, was assassinated outside his house in London, triggering protests and total shutdown in Karachi, a stronghold of the party in Pakistan.

Farooq, a founding member of the MQM, which is part of the ruling alliance in Pakistan was found with head injuries and stab wounds outside his Green lane house in Edgware in north London and Scotland Yard has launched a major murder hunt for his killers.

His death sent shock waves in the port-city of Karachi, where MQM is a major political force, with sporadic cases of violence reported as public transport went off the roads and schools, colleges, shops, commercial establishments and offices downed the shutters, as people mourned the killing.

He is the second top Pakistani MQM leader to have been assassinated in recent weeks. Raza Haidar, another MQM lawmaker was killed last month in Karachi.

The police and paramilitary forces were out in force to prevent violence in Karachi which has been rocked by political violence as revenge attacks and arson often follow high profile slayings.

London Metropolitan Police said they were called to reports of a serious assault in a lane in north London. “Officers found an Asian man, aged 50, with multiple stab wounds and head injuries. Paramedics treated but who was pronounced dead at 18.37 hours (local time)”.

Announcing his death in the party website, the local MQM spokesman declared ten days of mourning and cancellation of celebrations of the birthday of the Party’s founder Altaf Hussain, who also lives here in exile.

“The police are investigating the crime and are hopeful that the killer will be arrested”, a party spokesman said.

“No arrests have been made in connection with the incident so far”, police said.

Farooq, was twice elected as a lawmaker of the National Assembly and was also the founding leader of the MQM’s youth wing.

Farooq went into hiding when his leader Altaf Hussain came to London in a self-imposed exile following a military crackdown on the party in 1992. He later surfaced in London in 1999 to take political asylum.

However, a couple of years ago Farooq had differences with Hussain and went into obscurity.

His killing comes as the party leader Hussain in recent weeks appeared to suggest that Pakistan’s Army should overthrow the civilian government, angering its ruling ally People’s Party and its leader Asif Ali Zardari.

The MQM is in running battle with the Taliban as the party represents Mohajirs, a term use for settlers from India.

The party cadres often clash with Pashtun speaking settlers in Karachi. He was wanted over scores of charges including murder and torture. But he had described these charges as “fabricated and politically inspired”.

Farooq told the British paper ‘The Daily Telegraph’ that he had fled to England after “dead or alive” threats were issued against him.

Expressing shock at his death, MQM leader Altaf Hussain said, “Its a great lose. he was a loyal, loyal colleague for the past 32 years. I can never forget this for the rest of my life.” Farooq is survived by his wife Shamail and two sons. — PTI 

Washington, September 17
US President Barack Obama has appointed three eminent Indian Americans to key administration posts as members of his advisory panel on Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders, a body aimed at increasing participation of the over 16 million-strong community in federal programmes.

“Our nation will be well-served by the skill and dedication these men and women bring to their new roles. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead,” Obama said in a statement after he announced the appointment of members to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders.

The three Indian Americans appointed to the commission are Farooq Kathwari, Chairman, President and CEO of Ethan Allen Interiors; Sunil Puri, President and sole owner of First Rockford Group, Inc, a real estate development firm he founded in 1984; and Amardeep Singh, co-founder and presently Director of Programmes at ‘Sikh Coalition’, the US’ largest Sikh civil rights organisation, the White House said yesterday.

Kathwari, who has been President of Ethan Allen Interiors since 1985 and its Chairman and CEO since 1988, serves on many non-profit bodies, including as the chair of the Kashmir Study Group; a member of Council on Foreign Relations; Director of International Rescue Committee, the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University; ex-Chairman of Refugees International and the National Retail Federation.

Sunil Puri sits on a number of boards including the Rockford Area Economic Development Council and the Rockford College Board of Trustees. Amardeep Singh, prior to joining the Sikh Coalition in 2002, worked as a researcher in the US Programme of Human Rights Watch. — PTI 

Colombo, September 17
Already stripped off his military rank and medals, former Sri Lankan Army chief Sarath Fonseka, was today held guilty of corruption charges by a second court martial, sentenced to a prison term of three years.

Now an opposition lawmaker, Fonseka, who led Sri Lankan Army’s spectacular victory over the LTTE last year, was found guilty of corruption in defence deals at a hearing held today, sources said.

The second court martial has recommended to the President a three-year jail term for Fonseka, they said.

The recommendations will be sent to the President, who has to approve them as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

The punishment will be officially declared only after the President signs the order. Fonseka had been charged with favouring an arms firm headed by his son-in-law in defence deals during his time as Army chief. The former Army Chief, who is now a parliamentarian, was convicted by a court martial last month for dabbling into politics while in active service. — PTI 

BRIEFLY

Pope’s security in spotlight after London arrests
London: Pope Benedict’s security was in the spotlight today after the London police arrested five men on suspicion of preparing an attack in Britain. It was not clear if the planned attack was related to the pope’s visit or when it was to have taken place, but it prompted the police to take another look at security for the pontiff, who was on the second day of his visit to Britain. The Vatican said the trip would go on unchanged. The police said they had reviewed their arrangements for the visit and concluded that their plan “remains appropriate”. — Reuters