The curious case of Mustafa murder

Express Tribune

11-03-2025

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The narrative surrounding the murder of young boy Mustafa Amir has frequently shifted in media — from abduction to ransom, then to brutal killing, illegal weapons, network of narcotics and now 60 laptops. Regardless of how much truth lies in these details and how much is likely to withstand scrutiny in the court, all these stories are as alarming as they are revealing. For parents, it is a nightmare; for society, a grim reflection of deeper rot.
The exact motive behind Mustafa's murder remains shrouded in mystery. Media speculations range from a business dispute to a personal rivalry over a girl, with other possibilities still at play. A high level joint investigation team, also involving FIA and CTD, is investigating every angle. Whether it can untangle the conflicting narratives and bring those responsible to the justice remain to be seen.
The brutal murder of Mustafa, first mercilessly beaten and then set ablaze, has not only shocked parents but also deepened their anxiety over whom to trust as a friend for their children. His case is not an isolated one; last month renowned Sindhi poet Dr Akash Ansari was killed allegedly by his young son in Hyderabad in a similar manner. Unless social scientists examine underlying causes of the rising extremist tendencies among youth, particularly elite ones, it falls upon us to analyse the role of bad governance, which is steadily unraveling the social fabric.
Law enforcement agencies, especially police, wake up from their usual slumber only when a crime gains media attention. The case of Mustafa Amir is no exception. The disciplinary action has already been taken against the SHO and his junior police officers who were suspended and demoted for failing to act on the complaint from Mustafa's mother about her son's abduction. Meanwhile, another inquiry is underway to determine whether other police personnel facilitated the alleged murderer, Armaghan Qureshi, to evade the arrest.
The case became more complex when it emerged that the victim, Mustafa, had been out on the bail after being arrested by Anti-Norcotics Force a few days earlier. He was under trial at Anti-Narcotics Court, Karachi. Therefore, initially police assumed that he might have been picked again by the ANF. Whether Mustafa was genuinely drug peddling or falsely implicated in the case remains unclear. However, more a pressing question is — how are young boys of the affluent suburb areas of Karachi being drawn into the world of drugs both as consumers and sellers?
Beyond police, the judiciary has also moved to address misconduct. The administrative powers of an Anti-Terrorism Court judge have been revoked after he allegedly went beyond his mandate and acted in bad faith by denying police remand of the prime suspect, Armaghan, who was wanted for murder, illegal possession of weapons and an attack on law enforcement.
Instead, the judge placed him in judicial custody. If, as suspected, the decision was influenced by a bribe, it raises an even more troubling question: how easily can the influential secure judicial favour?
Another glaring example of the poor governance is the ease with which Armaghan transported the victim's body - stuffed in the trunk of a non-custom paid car, from Karachi to Balochistan. Not only did the police fail to stop him, they didn't even notice it - a stark contrast to their usual vigilance when checking poor motorbike riders and small vehicle owners. This exposes the police's double standards: hyper-alert when dealing with ordinary citizens but indifferent to elites in flashy, non-custom paid vehicles. This is a glaring indictment of the broken system.
Years of weak governance has not only striped the law of its deterrent effect but also its credibility in the public eye. Again and again, horrifying incidents like this make headlines, prompt momentary outrage, and then fade away. This time must be different. The cycle of impunity should not be allowed to repeat itself. The public must rally for a decisive crackdown on drug networks across Sindh to shield the youth from the grip of addiction and crime.