The story of Azeem Ahmad Tariq continues to raise difficult questions decades after his assassination. A recently rediscovered letter he wrote to his young sons in 1988 has added a new layer of intrigue.
In that letter, he expressed uncertainty about his future, writing that he did not know whether he would be alive when his children grew up. He also shared advice about life, family responsibilities, and becoming good human beings. The tone suggests he was under significant pressure at the time.
Signs of Pressure, Not Certainty
While the letter reflects concern and awareness of risks, it does not prove that Tariq knew his exact fate. At the time, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leaders were operating in a tense and often dangerous political environment.
Reports indicate that many of his colleagues had been killed or imprisoned. In such a climate, it was not unusual for political figures to feel vulnerable or threatened.
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The Unresolved Assassination
Tariq was assassinated in 1993, and the case remains unresolved to this day. Despite arrests and investigations, no clear or widely accepted conclusion has emerged.
His widow, Naila Tariq, who witnessed the घटना, has questioned many public narratives. She has stated that several accounts circulating in media do not reflect what actually happened. Her testimony also highlights that key details were never formally recorded.
Internal Politics and Tensions
At the time, MQM’s leadership included figures such as Altaf Hussain and Imran Farooq. Political tensions, internal divisions, and the broader law-and-order situation in Karachi created a complex backdrop.
Some accounts suggest that differences within the party and external pressures may have contributed to the risks faced by senior leaders.
A Mystery That Persists
More than three decades later, Tariq’s assassination remains one of Pakistan’s unresolved political mysteries. The letter he left behind reflects a man aware of danger, but it stops short of confirming that he knew what would happen.
In the absence of conclusive evidence, the question remains open: he may have sensed the risks—but whether he truly foresaw his fate is something history has yet to answer.
