Pakistani Politician Stabbed to Death in London

Prominent Pakistani politician Imran Farooq was murdered outside his London home last night, suffering multiple stab wounds and head injuries. Police assume the killing was politically motivated, and are reviewing the security of other Pakistani politicians living in London, the BBC reports. Scotland Yard’s SO15 terrorism unit is handling the case.

Farooq was a senior member of the MQM party. He came to London in 1999, seeking asylum because he was under “threat.” He was reportedly wanted by Pakistani security forces, but told the BBC at the time that the charges were politically motivated. News of the killing has sparked violence in Karachi; cars were burned and gunshots fired, though no one has yet been reported injured or killed.