Authorities arrested Kamran Qureshi, the father of Armaghan Qureshi, the primary suspect in the murder of Mustafa Amir, on Thursday. His arrest followed the release of a video statement by Sahir Hassan, son of actor Sajid Hasan, who had been detained for allegedly selling weed.
During the operation in Karachi’s Defence area, the Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC) of the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) apprehended Qureshi along with Mustafa’s father. Law enforcement officials also seized narcotics and firearms.
According to reports, police raided Bungalow No. 35 on 7th Street, Khayaban-e-Momin, Phase 5, after receiving a tip-off. Authorities claim Qureshi was involved in drug trafficking and found him in possession of illegal substances and weapons.
During the search, officers recovered 200 grams of methamphetamine (commonly known as ice) and a 9mm pistol with two magazines containing 10 rounds. A case has been registered against him under the Control of Narcotic Substances Act and illegal weapons possession laws, with investigations ongoing.
Video Statement of Prime Suspect
In his statement, Sahir Hassan revealed that he received weed at his residence through private courier services. He admitted to meeting Armaghan in 2017 and claimed that Armaghan had been dealing drugs since 2016. Hassan further stated that he once encountered Armaghan in jail while visiting a mutual acquaintance, Bilal Tension.
He denied any close friendship with Armaghan, insisting that his only significant association was with Mustafa Amir. He also disclosed that the weed he received was sourced from California, USA. Hassan explained that his first meeting with Mustafa was arranged by their mutual friend, Moazzam Patel, in 2022, and the two occasionally consumed weed together.
Key Developments in the Mustafa Amir Murder Case
The murder of 23-year-old Karachi resident Mustafa Amir remains a high-profile case, drawing intense public and media scrutiny. Reports suggest he was abducted on January 6, but the case gained traction when police held a press conference a month later.
Six days after his disappearance, Balochistan Police recovered a charred body from a burned vehicle and transferred it to the Edhi Foundation. Authorities later confirmed the body was that of Mustafa.
On February 14, investigators stated that Mustafa had been killed by his friends. His body was allegedly placed in the trunk of his car before being set ablaze in Balochistan’s Dureji area. Police arrested Sheraz, also known as Shavez Bukhari, who reportedly provided crucial information about the case.
The primary suspect, Armaghan, was apprehended following a ransom call demanding Rs20 million from the victim’s family. During the operation, a gunfight between police and the suspect reportedly lasted four hours. Investigators recovered laptops from Armaghan’s residence and detected bloodstains on a carpet in one of the rooms.
As the investigation unfolded, authorities suggested that a personal dispute over a woman may have been a key motive behind the crime. Mustafa’s mother alleged that this woman was directly involved in the murder and had fled to the United States after the incident.
Legal Proceedings and Investigations
On February 15, an anti-terrorism court in Karachi remanded Sheraz into police custody until February 21. However, police were unable to obtain the physical remand of Armaghan, which sparked criticism. Legal experts clarified that police had not initially sought physical remand in the case’s first information report (FIR).
Later, authorities added Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (punishment for acts of terrorism) to the case, bringing it under the jurisdiction of the anti-terrorism court. The same day, three police officers were suspended for alleged negligence in handling the case.
According to police records, Armaghan had a history of criminal activity, including extortion, kidnapping, drug dealing, and illegal weapons possession. During an interview, his father, Kamran Qureshi, defended his son, claiming he was being framed and accusing the victim of drug involvement. He also blamed a police officer for orchestrating the entire situation.
On February 17, a judicial magistrate approved the exhumation of Mustafa’s body, forming a three-member medical panel for examination. The next day, an anti-terrorism court granted police a four-day remand for Armaghan, with the court requesting a medical report.
Investigations revealed that Mustafa and Armaghan were childhood friends. Reports alleged that before setting the victim on fire, Armaghan gave him a chance to escape. Mustafa’s charred vehicle was later located in Dureji, Balochistan.
During a televised interview on February 21, Kamran Qureshi claimed to have substantial evidence and warned that powerful individuals could be implicated if the case was pursued further.
On February 22, the court extended the remand of Armaghan and Sheraz for five more days. Investigators collected blood samples from Armaghan’s residence, with one sample allegedly linked to a girl identified as ***a. Authorities also cited money laundering allegations against the suspect.
Four individuals, including the son of a television actor, were arrested on March 16. One suspect reportedly admitted to supplying drugs to Mustafa.
DNA tests confirmed that the burned body recovered from Balochistan was indeed Mustafa Amir. His funeral prayers were held at Masjid Ali in DHA Karachi on February 23, with his father rejecting any offer of “diyat” (blood money).
On February 26, co-accused Shiraz Hussain confessed to his involvement in the murder during interrogation.
Armaghan’s confessional statement was recorded and validated in a police remand report. Authorities sent his recovered laptop and mobile phone to the Punjab Forensic Lab for examination on March 18.
Mustafa’s mother, Wajiha Amir, refuted Shiraz’s statement, dismissing it as an attempt to evade responsibility.
On March 17, a Karachi court formally dropped the drug-related case against Mustafa Amir following a statement from the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Korangi.
Meanwhile, reports emerged that Kamran Qureshi had allegedly threatened public prosecutor Zulfiqar Ali Arain.
