Former Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) judge Syed Zakir Hussain has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court Karachi Registry regarding the Mustafa Amir murder case.
The appeal follows the withdrawal of his judicial authority after he refused to grant physical remand for the accused, Armaghan.
The Supreme Court has accepted the petition and scheduled a hearing before a three-member bench in the upcoming session. Notices have been issued to the Prosecutor General of Sindh, the Advocate General, and the complainant.
The petition challenges a ruling by a two-member bench of the Sindh High Court issued on February 18, which suggested transferring the judge’s administrative powers to another court. It also criticizes remarks made in the ruling, arguing that the ATC judge was not given an opportunity to present his case, allegedly violating Article 10-A of the Constitution.
The petitioner has requested that these remarks be removed, citing potential harm to his judicial career.
Judge Zakir Hussain had initially placed the accused, Armaghan, under judicial remand instead of physical remand after his arrest in a police operation. The Sindh High Court later overturned the ATC’s decision, approving all remand requests, and Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput raised concerns over procedural irregularities in the case.
Overview of the Mustafa Amir Murder Case
The murder of 23-year-old Mustafa Amir has drawn significant public attention. The case surfaced when he was reported abducted on January 6, with police making an official announcement about the investigation weeks later. Six days after his disappearance, a burnt body was discovered inside a torched vehicle in Balochistan’s Dureji area and was later handed over to a welfare organization.
Authorities claim that Mustafa was kidnapped and murdered by his associates, who then set his body on fire. The investigation led to the arrest of Sheraz, also known as Shavez Bukhari, who allegedly disclosed key information.
The prime suspect, Armaghan, was apprehended during a police operation at a residence in Karachi’s DHA area following a ransom demand of Rs20 million. A confrontation reportedly took place between police and the suspect during the raid. Investigators seized laptops and collected blood samples from the premises.
According to police, the conflict that led to the crime stemmed from a dispute involving a woman, who later fled to the United States. The victim’s mother has publicly accused this woman of involvement in her son’s murder.
On February 15, an ATC granted physical remand of Sheraz but denied police custody of Armaghan, leading to criticism from officials. However, legal experts have argued that the court was not at fault, as police had not initially sought physical remand under the case’s first report. Later, the inclusion of Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act placed the case under ATC jurisdiction.
Three police officers were suspended for alleged negligence in handling the case. Records indicate that Armaghan has a history of criminal activity, including extortion, drug dealing, and illegal weapons possession. His father, Kamran Qureshi, has publicly defended him, alleging that Mustafa was involved in drug-related activities and that police played a role in the unfolding events.
As the case progressed, a judicial magistrate approved the exhumation of Mustafa’s body, and a three-member medical panel was formed. By February 20, Armaghan allegedly confessed to the murder, reportedly telling investigators that he gave Mustafa an opportunity to escape before setting him on fire.
Forensic tests later confirmed that the remains found in Balochistan belonged to Mustafa Amir. His funeral prayers were held on February 23 in Karachi’s DHA, with his family rejecting any offer of financial compensation (diyat).
On February 26, co-accused Sheraz confessed to his role in the crime. By March 18, Armaghan’s laptop and mobile phone had been sent for forensic analysis. Mustafa’s mother dismissed Sheraz’s confession, calling it an attempt to protect himself.
A Karachi court later dropped drug-related charges against Mustafa Amir. Meanwhile, reports emerged that Armaghan’s father, Kamran Qureshi, had threatened a public prosecutor. He was subsequently arrested on March 21 by the Anti-Violent Crime Cell. In police custody, Qureshi reportedly issued a video statement apologizing to Mustafa’s parents and calling for justice.
During a courtroom hearing, Armaghan initially admitted to the murder but later retracted his confession, adding further complexity to the case.
On March 24, the prosecution formally raised concerns with the Sindh Inspector General over alleged mishandling of the investigation. It accused the police of failing to properly document key evidence and not consulting the prosecution before recording Armaghan’s confession. Legal action against the investigating officers was recommended.
On March 27, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) recovered a luxury vehicle belonging to Armaghan, adding another element to the ongoing investigation.
The case continues to evolve, with further legal proceedings anticipated in the coming weeks.
