NA sub-committee concerned over slow investigations into Mustafa Amir murder

A sub-committee of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Interior on Thursday reviewed progress in the high-profile Mustafa Amir murder case and expressed concern over the slow pace of the investigation.

The sub-committee met at the Central Police Office (CPO) Karachi and was presided over by Abdul Qadir Patel. Other sub-committee members, Agha Rafiullah and Khawaja Izhar-ul-Hassan, were also in attendance. Senior law enforcement officials, including Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ghulam Nabi Memon, Karachi additional IG, Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) director general, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) director, Sindh excise secretary, and senior officers from the Criminal Investigation Agency (CIA), Anti-Violent Crime Cell and other departments, were also present.

The MNAs were briefed by the Sindh police, FIA, and ANF on the murder investigation and associated criminal activities, including alleged money laundering and drug smuggling. Officials provided updates on the probe, but the committee members raised concerns over key unanswered questions. They emphasised the need for inter-agency coordination and directed the authorities to present concrete evidence and a clear strategy in the next meeting.

According to a spokesperson for the Sindh police, IGP Memon, CIA DIG Muqaddas Haider, ANF Director Brigadier Imran Ali, FIA Director Nauman Siddiqui, and Excise and Taxation Secretary Saleem Rajput provided updates about their respective departments’ findings in the case.

The sub-committee members engaged in discussions on various aspects of the case, underlying factors and potential motives. It was decided that in the next meeting, the institutions would be required to provide further details through a question-and-answer session.

The spokesperson said the committee emphasised the need for enhanced inter-agency coordination and instructed the authorities to present solid evidence and a comprehensive strategy in the next session.

Case background

Twenty-three-year-old Amir went missing from Karachi’s upscale DHA area on January 6 after leaving home to meet his friend Armaghan.

According to police findings, Armaghan allegedly tortured him at his residence before placing his body in the trunk of his own car. Along with an accomplice, Sheraz — who is already in custody — Armaghan reportedly took Amir to Hub, Balochistan, where they set the vehicle on fire with Amir inside it. It is not clear yet whether Amir had died of torture be then or was still alive when the vehicle was torched.

The case gained widespread attention on February 8 when police raided Armaghan’s house in an attempt to recover Amir. The operation resulted in a four-hour-long standoff, during which AVCC DSP Ahsan Zulfiqar and a police constable sustained injuries.

Armaghan was eventually arrested, and police recovered sophisticated weapons, laptops, and other equipment, leading investigators to suspect links to a call center operation, money laundering and virtual currency dealings.

The probe took another turn when actor Sajid Hassan’s son Sahir Hassan was arrested in DHA with weed. During his custody, Sahir reportedly made revelations that added new dimensions to the investigation.

Probe stalled?

Despite multiple arrests and confessions, the investigation appears to have hit a roadblock. Key developments remain pending as police have yet to recover the weapon that was used to assault Amir.

The FIA has not provided substantial evidence to confirm money laundering or virtual currency-related activities involving Armaghan. No significant arrests have been made since Sahir’s detention.

The ANF’s role in probing possible links to international drug cartels or courier companies remains unclear. With multiple law enforcement agencies involved, the lack of tangible progress has raised concerns about the direction of the investigation.