Victim did not use local SIM: IG Sindh explains delay in recovering Mustafa Amir

Inspector General of Sindh Police Ghulam Nabi Memon explained the reasons behind the delay in recovering Mustafa Amir in his murder case, stating that the victim was using an international SIM card, which hindered the police’s ability to track him. As a result, he remained “missing” to law enforcement for an entire month.

Acknowledging the “unprofessional and inappropriate” conduct of officers at Darakhshah police station, IG Sindh Memon stated that three police officials, including two juniors and a station house officer (SHO), were suspended and demoted from their posts for their inadequate behaviour.

However, IG Sindh defended senior officials saying that they had faced multiple “obstacles” during the investigation, as deceased Mustafa Amir did not use any local SIM card, it was technically difficult for the police to trace him. 

Read: New revelations surface in Mustafa Amir murder case

Additionally, the victim had a criminal record and had previously been booked by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) in a drug-related case. Due to this, the police initially thought that he was in the custody of any law enforcement agencies, but he was not detained by anyone.

Additionally, he said, his family received a ransom call later than expected. Usually, when someone disappears, the police first consider the factors of whether the family received a ransom call. In this case, the suspect, Armughan made the call deliberately to divert the attention of the investigators.

Following receiving the call, the case was referred to the AVCC, which, in collaboration with the Citizens Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), initiated an effort to recover the youth.

Their findings revealed that he had been killed on the very first day of his kidnapping.

Investigation further uncovered that a “dispute” among two “friends” led the suspect to take an “extreme action” of Mustafa’s killing. 

Read: Mustafa Amir case: culprit Armughan’s father misbehaves with police in court

IGP said that two suspects, Armguhan and Shiraz involved in the case left the city initially for Lahore, and later they went to Skardu. The prime suspect returned to Karachi three days before his arrest, while the other, Shiraz, alias Shavez Bukhari, came back to Karachi two days before his arrest. 

Despite arresting the primary suspect, the police could not acquire his remand, as the court sent him to jail. Now, the police have filed a revision plea before the Sindh High Court to get his remand, he added. 

“Now, our focus is to ensure better investigation of the case to bring the culprits to justice,” said the IGP, urging the family to cooperate with the investigation.