A local court on Sunday remanded accused Sahir Hassan into police custody for one day as part of the ongoing investigation into the Mustafa Amir murder case amid allegations of drug dealing and police misconduct.
During the proceedings, Sahir Hassan denied any connection to the murder, stating that he had been wrongfully implicated. "I was taken from my home, and later, the police claimed to have recovered drugs from me," he told the court.
He also denied selling or buying drugs from Mustafa Amir or the prime suspect, Armaghan Qureshi.
"I don’t know what report my father filed at the Darakhshan police station," he added.
Contradictory claims
However, investigative authorities presented conflicting statements, alleging that Sahir Hassan was involved in drug dealings with both Mustafa and Armaghan. According to officials, Sahir last sold drugs to Armaghan on January 5, with the accused allegedly purchasing 2 to 2.5 grams.
Further, investigators claimed that Mustafa and Sahir were rivals in the drug trade and that high-quality drugs were in their possession. Police reports suggest that drugs worth Rs 5.5 million were recovered during the operation.
Legal defense
Sahir’s lawyer, Advocate Faraz Fahim, alleged that the Darakhshan police were deliberately framing his client. He further claimed that Sahir’s father, actor Sajid Hassan, had previously filed a case against the same police station in 2022.
Sajid Hassan, speaking on the matter, urged media outlets not to spread false information. "You people have made this case famous, just ensure that misinformation is not spread," he said.
Meanwhile, police officials stated that a large-scale operation is underway against drug buyers, sellers, and users, with detained individuals being questioned about their links to Mustafa Amir and Armaghan.
Case Background
The high-profile case revolves around the alleged kidnapping and murder of Mustafa Amir, a Defence Housing Authority (DHA) resident who went missing on January 6. Armaghan and his friend Shiraz are accused of murdering him before burning his body along with his car.
According to investigators, Mustafa and Armaghan had a dispute over a girl during New Year’s Eve. On January 6, Armaghan allegedly lured Mustafa to his residence under false pretenses and fatally attacked him. The suspects then transported the body in the trunk of Mustafa’s car to Hub, Balochistan, where they set the vehicle on fire.
Police have since recovered modern weapons from Armaghan’s residence, while the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) has been tasked with tracing their origin. Additionally, the Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC) has sought assistance from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to analyze data retrieved from a laptop seized from the accused’s bungalow.
A crucial piece of evidence, a purported last audio recording of Mustafa, has also surfaced. In the recording, he is reportedly heard telling a friend that he was heading to Armaghan’s house and suggesting that his friend join him later.
Investigators have also uncovered a string of past criminal activities linked to Armaghan, alleging that he was involved in extortion, kidnapping, drug dealing, and illegal possession of weapons.
The case has sparked significant public interest, with authorities under pressure to ensure a transparent investigation. The court has directed the police to submit their progress report at the next hearing.
