Dr Imran Farooq, one of the founding members and a senior leader of MQM, was stabbed to death in London on Thursday, reported a private TV channel. Dr. Imran Farooq was a former convener of MQM. The MQM has declared a 10-day mourning. Hundreds of party activists have converged on Mr Farooq's family home in central Karachi.
Quoting sources, the media outlets said that unknown veiled assailants stabbed Farooq several times in the Mill Hill area of the British capital while he was on his way to the home. He was rushed to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
The police cordoned off the crime scene and started investigation. The assailant, however, managed to flee the scene, the channel added.
Meanwhile, the ceremony organised in connection with the 57th birthday of MQM Chief Altaf Hussian in Karachi was cancelled at the last moment despite the fact that thousands of workers had thronged the venue.
Police in London were called to reports of a serious assault at 1730 BST on Thursday. Mr Farooq was treated by paramedics but declared dead at the scene about an hour later.
A London 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 1837."
Mr Farooq disappeared from Pakistan in 1992 and is known to have been living in exile in London since 1999, when he claimed asylum in the UK. The former Pakistani parliamentarian was one of the founding members of the MQM.
The party said it had declared a 10-day mourning period in Pakistan and in its offices across the world. Leaders said they expect to take Mr Farooq's body back to Karachi for burial after legal formalities have been completed.
A London 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 1837."
Mr Farooq disappeared from Pakistan in 1992 and is known to have been living in exile in London since 1999, when he claimed asylum in the UK. The former Pakistani parliamentarian was one of the founding members of the MQM.
The party said it had declared a 10-day mourning period in Pakistan and in its offices across the world. Leaders said they expect to take Mr Farooq's body back to Karachi for burial after legal formalities have been completed.
