Arrest over murder of Pakistan politician Imran Farooq

Dr Farooq had lived in London for 10 years

A man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a Pakistani politician stabbed to death in north London.

Dr Imran Farooq, 50, a senior member of the MQM party who had been in London since 1999, was stabbed in Green Lane in Edgware on 16 September.

Officers arrested the 34-year-old man in Camden at 1000 GMT. He has also been held on suspicion of a robbery in October 2009.

In October police found a kitchen knife and brick used in the stabbing attack.

The arrested man remains in police custody in north London, the Metropolitan Police said.

Dr Farooq, who was attacked on his way home, was found with stab wounds and head injuries.

Thousands of people attended Dr Farooq's funeral

Police, who had issued an e-fit of a suspect, said they still wanted to speak to two men of Asian appearance in connection with the fatal attack.

Following the murder, Raza Haroon, a member of the MQM (Muttahida Qaumi Movement) central co-ordination committee, said Dr Farooq - who was living in exile in London - had sought asylum in the UK as he was under "threat".

He left Pakistan when the government launched a "clean-up" led by security forces, following allegations the MQM used strong arm tactics against opponents.

Tens of thousands of mourners attended Dr Farooq's funeral held in Pakistan's largest city, Karachi, in November.

Dr Farooq, who was married with two sons, was buried in a graveyard close to the party's headquarters.