KARACHI - Muttahida Qaumi Movement – London’s (MQM-L) deputy convener Professor Hassan Zafar Arif was found dead here in Ilyas Goth area on Sunday morning.
The family and the friends claimed that Prof Hassan Arif, 72, had gone missing on Saturday. MQM-L leader was found dead inside his car bearing number ANC-016 under mysterious circumstance from Ilyas Goth area that falls in the jurisdiction of Ibrahim Hyderi Police Station of Malir District.
According to DSP Irfan Zaman, police recovered the body from a car after they got information from Helpline 15 by a citizen. Prof Hassan Zafar Arif was identified through his ID card.
The body was shifted to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for medico-legal formalities. A large number of people including his family members, relatives, friends and party workers gathered outside the hospital after hearing the news.
Though the traces of blood were found on deceased's face as victim’s nose and head were bleeding but hospital officials said initial results from postmortem examination did not reveal any signs of torture on his body. Doctors at the hospital said that deceased died of natural death (heart attack) most probably. He was a heart patient.
According to medico-legal officer of JPMC Dr Sheraz, samples for chemical examination had been taken to ascertain the actual cause of death.
The family and friends demanded an independent inquiry over the matter as what the family and the friends said that body was found from the rear seat whereas he was driving the car himself and Ibrahim Hyderi area was not in his route.
“We started looking for him after deceased did not return to home till late at night and his cellphone was also switched off,” said victim’s family member. “Later we came to know that he was dead after watching TV news.”
“He (Prof Arif) was with me on Saturday evening but left early saying I am going back to home (in Defence Phase VI) to spend time with my daughter as she has to leave for London,” said victim’s friend – Abdul Majeed Karwani who is a member of MQM-L legal aid committee.
“Prof Arif was driving his car himself. Abdul Majeed further said that incident came to his notice when he received a phone call from Prof Arif’s wife in the morning about his disappearance.
Police officials said they were waiting for the chemical examination report and a case would be registered if the chemical examination report indicated that Professor Arif was murdered.
In October 2016, Sindh Rangers had taken Arif and another MQM-London leader into custody from Karachi Press Club before they could address a press conference. Prior to his detention, Arif had been named member of coordination committee, formed by MQM's London-based founder, to handle party affairs. Dr Arif was released from jail in a hate-speech case in April 2017.
Dr Arif was a noted intellectual and served in University of Karachi as associate professor in Philosophy.
FAROOQ GRIEVED, CONCERNED OVER DR HASSAN’S DEATH
INP adds: MQM-P leader Dr Farooq Sattar has expressed grief and concern over Dr Hasan Zafar Arif’s death in Karachi.
Speaking to media in Multan, MQM-Pakistan chief Dr Farooq Sattar expressed his grief and concern over the death.
“It does not matter if he was from MQM-L or Pakistan, what has happened is a conspiracy to disrupt peace in Karachi.”
The 75-year-old was professor of philosophy and had taught in a number of universities in Karachi. He has made significant contributions to progressive writings in Pakistan.
Our Staff Reporter