Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori faces assassination threat similar to MQM's Imran Farooq

LONDON: Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori has been threatened with the same fate as Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) slain former leader Imran Farooq, who was brutally murdered 14 years ago in London.

Geo News has seen the email in which Tessori and his family were warned in gruesome and explicit language. He received the threatening email immediately after landing in London, around two weeks ago, with Peer Haseeb-ur-Rahman and Peer Naqeeb-ur-Rehman of Eid Gah Sharif.

The email warned him to cease his activities or face the same fate as Farooq. It also stated that individuals were monitoring him and could easily target him at a time of their choosing. Tessori was further warned that his whereabouts and movements — as well as those of his family — were known and that he should reconsider his actions or be prepared for severe consequences.

The governor addressed four massive gatherings in the UK alongside the spiritual leaders of Eid Gah Sharif in London, Bradford, and Birmingham. He disclosed the threat on Saturday after returning from London.

Farooq, 50, a founding member of the MQM, was killed in Edgware on September 16, 2010, leading to unrest in Karachi.

Five years ago, a court in Islamabad found Mohsin Ali Syed, 35, guilty of murder and conspiracy of killing, sentencing him to life imprisonment. A second man, Muhammad Kashif Khan Kamran, 40, was convicted in absentia for Farooq’s murder. Two other men, Khalid Shamim and Moazzam Ali, were also convicted for their involvement in the killing. All of them were affiliated with the MQM before the party split into London and Karachi factions.

The sender of the threatening email told Tessori that if Farooq could be assassinated in London, targeting the Sindh governor would be even easier. The email also mentioned Tessori’s child by name. The sender described himself as a nationalist and claimed to be against Tessori for "trying to become the leader of the Mohajir nation."

“You will not remain governor forever. We know everything about you and know what we have to do. If Secretary General Imran Farooq can be targeted in London, then so can you — without any difficulty,” the email read.

Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, Tessori said he was disturbed by the threat but proceeded with his planned visits to UK cities.

Tessori confirmed that he had shared details of the threatening email with Pakistan’s relevant law enforcement agencies.