KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday allowed the Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC) to interrogate Kamran Asghar Qureshi in prison, who was booked in a case pertaining to possession of an illicit weapon.

The AVCC had booked the father of Armaghan, the prime suspect in the Mustafa murder case, under Section 23 (i) /32 read with Section 23 (i)-d/ 24 of the Sindh Arms Act 2013.

Armaghan had already been arrested and sent to prison in the case.

On Friday, the investigating officer, Muhammad Ali, filed an application before the ATC-IV judge, seeking permission to interrogate Kamran in prison in connection with a case related to the possession of illegal weapons.

After examining the application, the court allowed the AVCC’s plea to interrogate Kamran inside the jail for two days, between April 6 and 7, after the Eidul Fitr holidays.

The court directed the superintendent of District Malir Jail to grant the IO access to interrogate the suspect in the relevant FIR.

Additionally, the court instructed the IO to submit a progress report by April 8.

In February, the AVCC raided Armaghan’s house in connection with the Mustafa’s kidnapping-for-ransom case. As soon as the police arrived at the bungalow in DHA, the suspect opened fire, causing injuries to two policemen, including a DSP.

According to the police, a large quantity of imported weapons was recovered from the bungalow during the search, but no licenses were found for them.

Last week, a judicial magistrate sent Kamran to prison on judicial remand in a case pertaining to the alleged recovery of drugs and an unlicensed pistol from his possession.

According to the contents of the FIR, on March 20, the AVCC launched a search operation for a proclaimed absconder wanted on terrorism charges in district South.

As they entered the jurisdiction of Gizri police station, the policemen received information that a man named Kamran Asghar was standing outside his bungalow, waiting for someone.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2025