Shamila Imran Farooq, widow of slain senior MQM-Pakistan leader and former convener Dr Imran Farooq, was laid to rest amid scenes of profound grief at Society Graveyard, Karachi, on Saturday.
Earlier, her funeral prayers were offered at Rehmania Mosque on Tariq Road. Shumaila passed away a couple of days ago in London after a protracted illness.
The funeral was attended by a large number of senior leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, including members of the Central Committee such as Syed Mustafa Kamal, Dr Farooq Sattar and Anees Qaimkhani, along with parliamentarians, office-bearers of the Central Organising and Coordination Committee, In-charge COC Farqan Ateeb, party workers and supporters.
Emotional scenes were witnessed during the funeral prayers and burial. Party leaders met the sons of the late Dr Imran Farooq, Aaleshan Farooq and Wijdan Farooq, offering condolences and urging them to remain steadfast in patience.
The leadership paid tribute to the late Shamila Imran Farooq, stating that her sacrifices and unwavering commitment to the movement would always be remembered. They described her as a courageous woman who faced the most challenging circumstances with remarkable strength and resilience.
Following the burial, special prayers were offered for the eternal peace of the departed soul and the elevation of her ranks, attended by MQM office-bearers, workers and notable citizens in large numbers.
A day earlier, a senior member of the Central Committee of the MQM-Pakistan, Dr Farooq Sattar, received Aaleshan Farooq and Wijdan Farooq upon their arrival in Karachi, and offered heartfelt condolences on the passing of their mother, Shamila Imran Farooq. He expressed deep sorrow over the bereavement and urged them to be patient in this difficult time.
On the occasion, a large number of MQM leaders, office-bearers and workers were present at Karachi airport alongside Dr Farooq Sattar. These included members of the Central Organising and Coordination Committee, Shakeel Ahmed, Irshad Zafar and Kamran Farooqui; Joint In-charge and members of the Central Organising Committee; Parliamentary Leader in the Sindh Assembly, Iftikhar Ahmed; Members of the National Assembly, Arshad Vohra, Wasim Hussain; Haq-Parast members of the Sindh Assembly, as well as senior party workers and close relatives.
Subsequently, Aaleshan Farooq and Wijdan Farooq were taken to their mother’s residence, where MQM leaders offered condolences to the sons of Dr Imran Farooq on the demise of Shamila Imran Farooq and paid rich tribute to her sacrifices and steadfastness.
The sons of Dr Imran Farooq had travelled from London to Karachi, accompanied by their mother’s mortal remains; however, due to airline-related issues, the body could not arrive with them. Consequently, upon the arrival of the mortal remains in Karachi on Saturday, the funeral prayers of the late Shamila Imran Farooq were offered at Rehmania Mosque, Tariq Road.
