In a shocking incident at London’s Heathrow Airport, Dr. Tehreem, the wife of Pakistan’s renowned researcher and analyst Dr. Umair Ansari, was harassed and threatened with the same fate as MQM founder member Dr. Imran Farooq, who was murdered in 2010.
The unknown assailant also made off with two hand-carry bags of Dr. Tehreem containing valuable documents, cell phones, cash, and passports.
The incident occurred near the women’s restroom by the exit gates as Dr Tehreem entered the restroom, the assailant loudly threatened Dr. Ansari, warning him to stop his activities or face the same consequences as Dr. Imran Farooq.
The assailant appeared well-informed about Dr. Tehreem’s past residence in Karachi’s Sharifabad, near Dr. Farooq’s home.
On July 13, a Saturday evening, the Ansari family had just arrived in London, a day after narrowly escaping an assassination attempt in Karachi.
Dr. Ansari’s wife, visibly shaken by the threats, immediately informed her family, causing panic among the children.
They quickly took a taxi to their London residence. While unloading the luggage, unidentified individuals stole two small suitcases containing passports, cash, and important documents.
Dr. Umair Ansari expressed deep concern over the incident, noting the continuous threats and harassment faced by his family both in Pakistan and now in London.
He emphasized his commitment to human rights, freedom of expression, and democracy, stating that non-state actors are intimidated by his efforts but vowed to continue his work undeterred.
Previously, on July 12, Dr. Ansari had survived an assassination attempt in Karachi. Assailants in a white car opened fire on him near Malir River while he was en route to the Pakistan Development Forum’s office. Fortunately, he was unharmed, but the incident forced the postponement of a scheduled symposium.
Dr. Ansari was in Pakistan to finalize an impartial report on the 2023 Karachi local elections and the February 8, 2024 general elections, highlighting irregularities and lack of transparency. The report, set to include perspectives from international observers and various stakeholders, faced opposition from unidentified groups pressuring him to cease his work.
On July 4, as Dr. Ansari and his family returned from Bahria Town, Karachi, they were harassed by unknown motorcyclists who not only threatened them but also mentioned their London residence, indicating their knowledge of the family’s whereabouts. Despite these threats, Dr. Ansari remains steadfast in his mission to uncover the truth and advocate for democratic rights.
