After a Decade, Dr Imran Farooq’s Killer Convicted in Pakistan
Pakistan convicts man for the 2010 murder of Dr Imran Farooq in north London. This landmark conviction caps nearly ten years of relentless detective work by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.
Groundbreaking UK-Pakistan Police Team-Up Cracks Case
The breakthrough came thanks to a pioneering agreement allowing UK police to share crucial evidence with Pakistani prosecutors. Met detectives sifted through thousands of hours of CCTV, interviewed more than 4,000 witnesses, and gathered over 4,500 exhibits.
This exhaustive investigation identified two suspects linked to the brutal killing outside Dr Farooq’s home in Edgware’s Green Lane. Pakistani national Mohsin Ali Syed, 35, was found guilty of murder and conspiracy after a trial in Islamabad. His alleged accomplice, Muhammad Kashif Khan Kamran, 40, was convicted in absentia and remains at large.
Ten Years in the Making: How Police Cracked the Case
- Dr Farooq was viciously attacked with a brick and knives after returning from work in September 2010.
- Initial evidence was scarce—only a few eyewitnesses and no CCTV at the murder scene.
- Detectives meticulously retraced his steps, uncovering CCTV footage showing suspects using a cashpoint and buying knives days before the attack.
- Bank records and landlord testimony linked Syed and Kamran to a Stanmore address.
- Flight records confirmed their escape to Pakistan hours after the murder.
- A partial thumbprint on a discarded knife matched Syed’s UK visa application.
This painstaking detective work revealed the murder’s political ties. Dr Farooq was a senior figure in Pakistan’s Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and had been suspended from the party before his death, suggesting a politically motivated hit.
Top Brass Praise Hard-Hitting Justice
Commander Richard Smith, Met’s Counter Terrorism Head, said: “I’m pleased one of Dr Farooq’s killers has been brought to justice after nearly a decade of dogged detective work. The incredible dedication of the investigation team never wavered. My thoughts remain with Dr Farooq’s family, who showed immense strength throughout.”
UK High Commissioner Christian Turner added: “This conviction is a testament to the powerful cooperation between UK and Pakistani law enforcement. Sharing British police evidence was a game-changer in securing justice.”
Sentences Served, Fugitive Still at Large
Mohsin Ali Syed was sentenced to life imprisonment. Meanwhile, Kamran’s conviction in absentia means he remains a wanted man in Pakistan. Authorities also convicted several others for conspiracy to murder Dr Farooq.
The case stands as a milestone in UK-Pakistan legal cooperation, offering hope that justice can cross borders even after years in the dark.
