Daily Diary (DD) - Day 265 of 2022

1312hrs:

Day 109 at Maqbool Bhat Shaheed Square - Dadyaal.

0825hrs

My punctuality surplus has transformed into a deficit once again. It corresponds exactly to the amount of minutes that I was late today viz. 25 minutes.

For some peculiar reason, my eyes opened at the same time as yesterday viz. at 0809hrs. Except that I was fresher today than yesterday morning, when I had barely 3 hours of sleep. 

Punctuality percentage: 61 days on time or early of 109 = 56% punctual.

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Day 10 of our evening commitment to public interest brings us to the topic of public opinion and how that fares with the other 3 influencers of public policy:

Set a reminder for my upcoming Space! https://t.co/tHTMJm1l9h
The Ultimate test of #OwnershipNarratives vs #ClaimantNarratives in #JKA especially in the digital age is:#PublicOpinion

Not#ElectoralSystem#BackDoorAgreements#Referendum

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) September 22, 2022

 Associated reference:

We can authoritatively claim that the following survey was the most representative of public opinion ever collected in any part of the erstwhile princely State, since 1947:

Link (English)

Link (Urdu)

Space Count (That is: How many people have engaged so far): 62 (updated at 1733hrs on 24/09/2022) 

Average space count (10 days so far): 94

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Does anyone remember Chacha Cricket? Well, it appears that he was in Bhimber yesterday, trying to rally the locals behind Pakistan's State narrative! Needless to say, he experienced a rude awakening:

In this age, there are multiple secure & authentic ways of capturing #PublicOpinion
Over the past few months in particular, #Pakistan has repeatedly failed the test of public opinion in #AJK & #GilgitBaltistan

The public is now preparing a legal challenge against its presence. https://t.co/u3l8ikmZTp

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) September 22, 2022

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The following case is what I describe as the alleged murder of prime AJK human capital in Pakistan's capital Islamabad in March, earlier this year. The case of Imperial College London postgraduate Farooq Ali, a descendent of Plaak, Mirpur AJK; who was born and brought up in Bradford, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom:

Here's a concise well documented summary of Farooq Ali's case so far, written by his Cambridge graduate neurologist sister Dr. Rehiana Ali:

Background:

Farooq was a graduate of Imperial College London (2:1 in Biochemistry with a A* from British Biotech during year in Industry) and had Masters in Biochemistry - also from Imperial College London. 

He was from Bradford – he had studied at Bradford Grammar School securing 3 As at A level in Maths, Biology and Geography.

Farooq – strongly believed in education. Helped younger brother Yusuf and paid private school fees even whilst studying at Imperial. Helped his sister Rehiana get into Cambridge University – she’s now a Consultant Neurologist.

Why in Pakistan?

He was currently playing tennis - he hoped to go shortly on the seniors’ tour.

He loved Pakistan and knew much of the history of Pakistan and Kashmir. He wanted to play for Pakistan.

He was also currently writing a fiction book and it was nearing completion.

Strategy:

Farooq recognised he needed a “platform” to do anything for Pakistan, Kashmir and indeed, Palestine… this was where the tennis and book came in. He had written articles – not huge numbers but they were ideas/intellectual in content not a weekly/monthly output (he wrote under a pen name called Omar Khorharudin). He had contributed to Kashmir Media Services (KMS) and the article called ‘the second green revolution in Indian occupied Kashmir’ was syndicated to Pakistan Observer. He had previously set up cashmerenews.net and it was hacked a lot…here Farooq would put articles, content on culture, history etc. He also realised that Pakistanis and Kashmiris were more “visual” so tried to start cartoons…again focussing on the occupation.

He was of firm belief that Pakistan needed to do more for Kashmir on the international stage, that Kashmiris should lead from within Pakistan and that Hindustan had to be contained. He recognised that Pakistan was going to be key in the Muslim world and therefore would be targeted – directly and indirectly – by West and Israeli allies.

Why hotel?

Family home is in Azad Kashmir.

He was staying in hotel in Islamabad as it was close to the Pakistan Tennis Federation (which had clay and hard courts).

He did look for a flat but preferred the convenience of a hotel - with room service, laundry and housekeeping.

He was in Ramada by Wyndham hotel Islamabad. This is 1 of the top 3 hotels in Islamabad and reportedly "safe". He moved there in May 2021.

We believe he was murdered on 11th or early hours of 12th March 2022. His body was "discovered" on 16th March 2022 i.e. 5 days later.

Brief chronology of events:

Farooq was - by August 2021 - paying hotel monthly. He would pay 8 - 10th of every month and kept a record. He never paid later than 10th of every month.

Rehiana, his sister, paid a visit in June 2021 staying for 4 weeks so knew their systems. 

No concerns were raised when we spoke to our brother. He was only 44 years old and completely well and very upbeat. If he had any health concerns, he would have almost certainly shared them with his sister, who is a doctor. He had no medical conditions at all.

Rehiana and Farooq shared a credit card – she noticed no payment to the hotel had been made. His phone was unanswered – she assumed due to connection issues (this happened repeatedly before).

She called the hotel on 16th March 2022 to check that he was still at that hotel – and was assured he was. As it was still early in Pakistan, she did not ask to speak to him saying she would try him later. No reference was made that they had not seen him for 5 days.

She was called 7 hours later saying that her brother was dead. 

She said she did not want her brother moved and that they were coming straight to Pakistan. She was very clear that forensic samples should be sent.

She asked if food samples had been sent and was told they were. She was told photographs and forensics had been taken and they would await her before moving the body.  

The sisters and parents caught a flight the same day from Manchester, UK. 

What happened with post-mortem?

Although Rehiana took my brother’s body to the hospital (she was told PIMS but found out later it was the federal polyclinic), she subsequently declined the post mortem because of the doctors involved and a feeling she was being “set-up”. The doctors - one of whom (Dr Niaz) works as on-call for Ramada Hotel. Rehiana was told they thought it was a stroke - this was without examining our brother's body and in advance of the post-mortem. As a Neurologist, she did not believe they could come to that conclusion as yet. After confirming with the police they had taken all forensic samples including blood and foam, she said she was prepared to forgo the post-mortem given the distrust of the doctors - including conduct of a Dr Javaria (the pathologist).

She met the Assistant Commissioner and wrote in English (Rehiana does not read or understand Urdu) that despite the lack of post-mortem there would be an investigation into his death. She later found that the Police also ignored an order from the magistrate - this ordered them to at minimum perform a superficial post-mortem. They did not do this.

My brother’s body was then taken to Kashmir and buried on Friday 18th March 2022. 

Main lies by hotel:

Suspicious activity on CCTV of 3 – 4 hotel people monitoring Farooq’s room between 4 – 5am on 12th March. 

Other lies included: 

That they did not chase billing as he was a long-term guest (in contrast to their behaviour evidenced) - which hotel allows a guest to stay free for 6 days?

The Manager stating “Farooq only ordered food twice a week” and when Rehiana replied “really?” he said “yes, that has been his habit for a long time”. This was a lie as proven by itemised billing. 

- Lies about the ‘Do not disturb’ sign – again lies according to CCTV coverage

There are other lies too.

This 4* international hotel opened door without police and disturbed the crime scene. They allowed 14 people into the room. 

Police corruption:

No finger printing of crime scene.

Never sent blood and foam for toxicology. For some reason police only sent for DNA - which is usually when you are unable to identify the body.

Police did not send all food for forensics – in fact they did not send the last food eaten (milk and cereal) from 11th March 2022.

They kept food samples from 10th March in a cupboard – only sending to Lahore on 25th March.

Despite Rehiana asking them to investigate, they refused to give an FIR (First Investigation report) – she had to go to court to get this.

The Police made false statements claiming they were from family

The Police tried to say it was natural, then suicide and now natural.

Exhumation and post-mortem: 

- Performed on 9th May 2022

Final exhumation report stated that they cannot ascertain the cause of death

Family have met all officials in police force – repeatedly promised an investigation which they then stop. We met the SHO 3 times, the SSP, the DIG, the first IG (Ahsan Younas) and now twice with IG Akbar. 

All the family have asked for is a fair, thorough and transparent investigation. But the Police won’t do it. Even when hotel staff and management lie, Police will not act.

Our family had to even petition the court to get the Police to investigate - not much has happened despite latest meeting with Islamabad Police Inspector General Akbar on 4th July in presence of Deputy High Commissioner of the United Kingdom (first meeting the British High Commission attended with the family he promised a thorough investigation within 2 weeks.

- The court had ordered police to complete investigation by 20th July.

Still no police report – and now Police are pressurising independent medical board (from Kashmir) to change their report to say death was natural. It seems that the junior members of board had also been contacted by Police.

End of Farooq Ali case summary to date (25/09/2022)

Update (25/10/2022):

Since we did the interview with JKTV on 10th September, we received the report by the Medical Board (issued 12th September 2022). They – despite pressure from Islamabad Police – stood their ground and with their original findings. They refused to state death was natural.

Despite this response, the British High Commission (BHC) have consistently refused to condemn actions of Islamabad Police. In fact, they have legitimised them. So, I had no issues if police wanted to ask the medical board about another test etc but the request to state if the death was natural or not is not standard practice.  It was not right of BHC to try and pretend it was. 

Since this second report on 12th September, the Police have still refused to submit a final report. They issued an – undated – “progress report” on 15th October 2022 via the BHC. This is not a police report under section 173 of Cr. PC and appears to satisfy no-one but the BHC. Now, in this report, the Police re-refer to possible negligence – something already “explored” in August. There is no information – and BHC never requested any – as to what exactly the Police are doing.

On 19th July 2022, when we met Dr Christian Turner, British High Commissioner he stated that it was “unacceptable” if the “investigation” dragged into September.

Despite it being 24th October and with no final report being issued, BHC still appear unconcerned. I stated to BHC that if their supposed “daily calls” were not working, a change in approach was needed.

I asked for a meeting with the PM yet nothing has been forthcoming. I do not believe a meeting would be denied if BHC support was truly behind us. This Shehbaz Sharif signed a book of condolences twice for Elizabeth….

So I then asked the BHC to themselves request a meeting with the PM (rather than forward a letter) – as my meeting was not forthcoming. They have not done so despite the logic of the request.

I also asked the BHC to liaise with the IG directly – there is no point asking the IO (Investigating Officer) as it is clear he is under orders and has no independence in this investigation. 

We have tried other avenues:

On 1st September, we left letters for PM Sharif in PM offices and in Cabinet offices – the latter with Shahid Ahmed Sandhu, Joint Secretary and with Zakib Ullah, Assistant Deputy Secretary.

Protests:

We protested outside PM House and outside Supreme Court on 15th September 2022. 

Outside Supreme Court, I was assaulted by Misbah Shahbaz, SHO Women’s Station and yet the BHC failed to help. In fact, they advised me to follow what the police said – in Iran and Afghanistan, they support democracy but in Pakistan, they refuse to uphold the democratic right to protest….

I was then told – subtly – that they may have to withdraw support from me because of the NICOP card (Pakistani identity card indicating dual citizenship). The Deputy High Commissioner, Andrew Dalgleish, refused to answer any questions sent on email.

I had a call on 23rd September from Najeeb Mandowill (?) who was in charge of the PM grievance wing…I told them a meeting with the PM had been requested not by grievance officials so he said he would send it to PM House.

On 22nd September, we protested in Dadyal – to raise the voice within AJK.

We were promised help by various people including Javaid Zaffar (PMLN politician in Dadyal) – nothing. 

On 26th September we went to Dadyal…the IG of AJK didn’t turn up at the PWD where we were told to go. Met some other commissioners who said they would raise it. Nothing.

On 27th September, we went to Ramada by Wyndham to protest. 

AJK media:

On 29th September, we went to Mirpur press club – again only 1 person put it on Facebook and Shuja (journalist) took 10,000 rupees but then said he couldn’t get it on the channels…and refuses to look at messages.

On 1st October, we did a press conference in Muzaffarabad – despite the number of mikes, no national media has taken it as yet.

AJK politicians:

On that same day, we went to PM House in AJK – apparently PM was asleep but the request for a meeting would be forwarded. Nothing yet.

We went to the President of AJK’s House and left him a letter. Nothing yet.

I spoke to Ch Yaseen (MLA Kotli) who promised help…nothing.

I spoke to MLA Qasim Majeed (MLA for Chakswari, Palak etc) on 10th October – he told me to “make an application” then agreed to speak to SSP and act….nothing and has ignored messages on 20th October and 22nd October 2022. 

UK MPs:

Richard Burgon, MP Leeds East for myself – last spoke in July and agreed to meet via zoom on 14th October. Refused to help with media, social media or even raise it in HoC (parliament)…he only agreed to re-write to BHC to ask more specifically about actions of ICT (Islamabad Capital Territory) police.

Judith Cummins MP for my parents – Bradford South – to date, hardly responding. Not one single meeting offered despite nature of case – this has now been requested again.

Naz Shah MP for Bradford West met my younger brother on 1st October 2022 (he first spoke to her in August) but the first press conference was cancelled. I spoke to her on 13th and 14th October. She says she will help. We need to see. She agreed to write to BHC and foreign secretary, share on her social media to raise awareness and raise it at foreign minister’s questions. Nothing has happened as yet. Her visit to Pakistan was cancelled because we were going to use that for media given the blackout so far.

Other Kashmiri MPs have so far stayed silent e.g. Imran Hussain though they most definitely know about it.

Medical issues:

More lately, the GP (local doctor in the UK) surgery had refused to supply medications to my parents according to a NHS “rule” however we are not resident here nor here out of choice. My father is 84 with multiple medical problems – type 2 diabetes, a previous heart bypass, a heart attack last year, angina, mild COPD, high blood pressure (very difficult to control over last 2 weeks with values 160 – 180 representing a stroke risk), chronic renal impairment so no other doctor has all the medical background. The weather is also changing and we don’t have the luxury of central heating in Palak yet cannot get Judith Cummins, his MP, to help.

End of update (25/10/2022)....

The public of AJK and its diaspora (particularly in the UK) can follow developments on this murder mystery till its conclusion, by following the hashtags: 

#JusticeForFarooqAli 

#MurderAtRamadaByWyndham

Other social media accounts may be accessed by using the linktr.ee link below. Do share with family and friends to raise awareness and help Farooq and his family get justice, elusive as it may seem in a country with a track record as that of Pakistan.

Link Tree

Remember, this could have happened to any of us and indeed may happen in the future. Thus, solidarity is in every sane person's interest. 

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