The court refused to accept Armaghan’s plea under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code after he repeatedly changed his stance—initially agreeing to confess but later retracting his statement during the hearing before the judicial magistrate (South).
Observing his erratic behavior, the court noted that the suspect did not appear to be in a stable mental condition to record a confession.
According to the court’s order, Armaghan—who appeared “lazy and tired”—first admitted to killing Mustafa due to a longstanding dispute. He claimed the murder was not premeditated but rather a result of “a sudden outburst.”
However, upon learning that he would be placed in judicial custody regardless of his confession, he withdrew his statement, alleging that he was being “framed by the Jewish mafia” and Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad. He also accused Mustafa’s mother of being part of a so-called “Jewish lobby.”
At one point, Armaghan claimed that he had not actually killed Mustafa but had left him inside a car and set its front side on fire, leaving his fate to destiny. Later, he again denied direct involvement in the murder, saying Mustafa’s death was preordained.
Additionally, the accused launched verbal attacks on various political parties, alleging that they were part of the “Jewish lobby” and that the “Jewish mafia” sought to silence him for his outspoken views.
Following the hearing, the court rejected the investigative authorities’ plea and ordered that Armaghan be presented before an anti-terrorism court.
Latest Developments in the Case
The case took a new turn after the Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC) of Karachi Police arrested Kamran Asghar Qureshi, Armaghan’s father. A local court subsequently remanded him into police custody for two days in a case related to illegal weapons and drug possession.
Armaghan came under police radar after he opened fire on an AVCC team during a raid at his residence in Karachi’s DHA on February 8.
Mustafa Amir’s body was discovered inside a car near the Hub checkpost on January 12 and was initially buried by the Edhi Foundation on January 16. However, following confirmation of his identity through DNA testing, his body was exhumed and reburied by his family.
Authorities have handed over the laptops and mobile phones recovered from Armaghan’s residence to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for further analysis.
Additionally, law enforcement officials recovered a black-and-silver American iron folding rod from the Hub area, which is believed to have been used by Armaghan to assault Mustafa. Police consider this a major breakthrough that could strengthen the case and increase the chances of securing a conviction. An officer familiar with the investigation noted that Armaghan’s demeanor had shifted, and he was no longer as defiant as before.
