Mustafa Amir murder: Prime suspect Armaghan gets bail in call centre case

Armaghan was arrested on February 8 in 2024 after four-hour standoff, during which he shot and injured DSP, constable

A judicial magistrate in South Karachi has approved bail for Armaghan, the prime suspect in the Mustafa Amir murder case, in a separate trial under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) relating to an alleged illegal call centre.

The bail plea was heard before the Judicial Magistrate West. Defence counsel Khurram Abbas Awan argued that no charge sheet had been submitted against the accused to date, nor had the investigating officer or any witness appeared before the court. He further contended that no written complaint existed against the suspect.

The court accepted the bail plea, ordering Armaghan to deposit surety bonds worth Rs100,000. Police had earlier registered the case against him at the National Cyber Crime Investigation (NCCI). Though he got the bail in the call centre case, Armaghan remains behind bars for the Mustafa Amir murder case.

Mustafa Amir murder case

According to the details of the case, Armaghan ran a call centre at a bungalow in Defence’s Khayaban-e-Momin area, where 30 to 40 boys and girls worked, along with 30 to 35 security guards stationed at the premises. The bungalow also illegally housed three lion cubs.

The interrogation report also shed light on Armaghan’s involvement in business and drug use. Prior to Mustafa’s murder, Armaghan, along with his friend Shiraz, planned to burn Mustafa’s car, and had previously intended to harm him. The report revealed that in 2019, Armaghan was involved in a case regarding drug importation, but he had secured bail in that matter.

According to the investigation, Armaghan himself was a drug user. On New Year's Eve, Armaghan hosted a party at the bungalow, where Shiraz was also present until 3am. However, Mustafa did not attend the party.

The following day, Armaghan and Mustafa had a personal dispute, which escalated into a violent confrontation. On January 6, Armaghan invited Shiraz to the bungalow and Mustafa arrived at around 9pm. During this encounter, Armaghan assaulted Mustafa with an iron rod.

Armaghan and Shiraz stripped Mustafa of his clothes, bound his hands and feet with a white sheet, and dragged him down the stairs. Mustafa’s car was parked in the bungalow's parking lot, and they placed his body in the trunk of the car, after which they took him to Hub.

The report further details that Armaghan instructed two employees to clean blood stains from the room. Armaghan also took Mustafa's clothes, mobile phone, and internet device. When they could not find fuel in the car, Armaghan took a fuel can from the bungalow. The report explains that Armaghan discarded Mustafa's mobile phone and other belongings on the way.

They arrived at Hub around 4:30am, poured petrol on the car, and set it on fire. Armaghan and Shiraz then walked to a hotel for breakfast. A hotel employee noticed a weapon, and the two men fled the scene. After walking for several hours and hitching rides, they made their way back to Karachi.

Armaghan was arrested on February 8 after a dramatic four-hour standoff, during which he opened fire on police, injuring a DSP and a constable.

The case exposed links to an alleged drug network, particularly in the cannabis trade, in which both the suspect and victim were reportedly involved. The investigation led to a police crackdown, resulting in the arrest of several individuals, including actor Sajid Hasan’s son, Sarim Hasan.