"There is a conspiracy afoot to steal the MQM's mandate, " said Farooq Sattar, MQM's most senior leader in Pakistan.

WSJ: Karachi Beset by Political Strife

Dr Shakoor's cousin, Abdul Sattar Ishaqani, spoke to BBC Essex from Karachi, Pakistan, and said the family had been in the UK for four to five years.

BBC: Harlow fire deaths: Mother and children 'wonderful'

The party boycotted the re-polling in Karachi's NA-250 and Farooq Sattar, its most senior official in Pakistan, said that the low turnout on Sunday "showed the love people had" for the MQM.

WSJ: Karachi Killing Shakes District Amid New Vote