In an intriguing development, Scotland Yard confirmed yesterday the arrest of two men in Pakistan in connection with Dr Imran Farooq’s murder in London in September 2010. When detailed news reports had emerged with regard to these arrests in August this year, they were categorically denied both by the MQM and interior minister Rehman Malik. What makes the confirmation now by Scotland Yard interesting is the history of these arrests. Media reports in August had named Khalid Shamim of MQM as the immediate planner, who had arranged UK student visas for the two men alleged to have hacked, knifed and bludgeoned Dr Farooq to death. The men escaped to Colombo, Sri Lanka, after the murder, from where they were ordered to come back to Karachi by Shamim. British intelligence was said to have tipped off a top Pakistani intelligence agency about their travel plans. Meanwhile Khalid Shamim’s taped conversations exposed his plan to have these two assassins murdered upon emerging from the airport in Karachi. These two were arrested at Karachi airport, whilst the arrest of Shamim was reported to have come about as a result of intense pressure on the MQM leadership from the Pakistani intelligence agency. At the time, Scotland Yard was also reported to have asked for Pakistan’s cooperation in extraditing the men to the UK (given that no charges or legal proceedings were brought against them in Pakistan) and to institute a joint interrogation team. But cooperation was not forthcoming from the Pakistan side after the arrests. Why Scotland Yard chose to confirm the arrests now is anyone’s guess. However, that the Yard has now begun to pressure Pakistan publicly for progress on the case cannot be ruled out. The MQM’s relationship with the PPP has been a difficult one, with the party joining and leaving the ruling alliance thrice in the past three years. At the moment the MQM is on the treasury benches, which puts Pakistan’s foot dragging on the murder investigation into context. And the picture comes into sharper focus when Dr Imran Farooq’s break from the party due to differences with Altaf Hussain just a year before his murder, together with his immense popularity and influence within the party, are taken into account. While allegations swirling around this murder have never strayed far from the MQM itself, positive and incontrovertible proof is required for conclusive judgment. It is to be hoped the Yard’s confirmation of the arrests will spur the investigation beyond the pawns and bishops in this game of chess. *