Residents of a locality in DHA Phase V have formally demanded that the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) take action against Kamran Asghar Qureshi, father of Armaghan, the prime suspect arrested in connection with the kidnapping-cum-murder of Mustafa Amir, citing repeated violations of DHA regulations and security threats to the neighbourhood.
Meanwhile, the DHA authorities have issued notices to the real estate agent managing a bungalow, following complaints from residents, confirmed DHA officials.
In a letter addressed to the DHA administrator, copies of which were also sent to senior law enforcement officials, residents of the area demanded the eviction of Qureshi from House#35, 7th Street, Khayaban-e-Momin. The residents raised concern over frequent aerial firing, possession of illegal weapons, loud disturbances and a recent police raid at the residence.
According to the residents, since Qureshi’s arrival as a tenant at the property, multiple incidents have created a wave of fear in the area. About aerial firing during the period from August 2023 to present, the residents claimed that repeated incidents of late-night aerial firing disrupted the peace of the neighbourhood, despite multiple complaints to the DHA and Sindh police.
They also stated in the letter that between 2023 and 2024, Qureshi had kept three lions at the bungalow in violation of the DHA rules. The letter read that the wild cats had now been shifted but this act showed a blatant disregard for the law on part of Qureshi.
The complainants also highlighted frequent loud music coming from the house in late night hours as another source of disturbance for them. The residents also recalled the presence of an abnormally high number of security guards during July 2024. They alleged that in July last year, over 100 private security guards were deployed around Qureshi’s residence who used to harass locals and created an unsafe environment.
The letter stated that when concerns regarding the presence of guards were raised with real estate agent Maj (retd) Akhlaque who had brought the tenant to the house, he dismissed them claiming Qureshi to be a “respectable and religious man.”
The number of guards was only reduced after significant public pressure, the letter claimed. The residents also showed concerns over the raid conducted by the Anti-Violent Crime Cell at Qureshi’s house on February 8 in an attempt to recover Aamir. The four-hour-long operation involved gunfire, multiple police units and extensive media coverage. Armaghan reportedly fired at police, leaving residents trapped in their homes due to fear.
On the basis of such repeated law violations and security threats, the residents urged the DHA and other relevant authorities to take immediate action to restore peace in the neighbourhood. They also demanded that the authorities identify the property owner and ensure that they were aware of the law violations caused by their tenant.
The letter called for eviction of Qureshi from the house due to continued law violations and security threats. The residents attached a list of signatures to the petition, representing their collective demand for intervention. The DHA has issued notices to the real estate agent managing the bungalow, following complaints from residents, officials confirmed to The News.
According to DHA authorities, they did not have the jurisdiction to get the property forcibly vacated. However, given the escalating controversy and ongoing legal proceedings, it had initiated action by formally seeking details of the rental agreement and other relevant documents from the real estate agent handling the property as the owner of the bungalow resides abroad. Additionally, the DHA also issued a notice regarding the operations of an allegedly illegal call centre in the house. Authorities stated that further action would be taken in accordance with court orders and the responses received over the notices.