By: News Desk 92Pavilion | Updated: August 28, 2026
Quick Answer: The Sindh High Court has ordered the anti-terrorism court hearing the Mustafa Amir murder case to wrap up the trial early, after a report blamed prime accused Armaghan and his lawyer for the long delay. The order came after the victim’s mother moved the court over repeated adjournments in the case.
What the Trial Court Told the High Court
The anti-terrorism court submitted its progress report to the Sindh High Court on Thursday, more than a year and a half after the case was first registered. The report placed the blame for the delay squarely on prime accused Armaghan and his lawyer, Khurram Abbas, saying their conduct during hearings had repeatedly stalled the proceedings.
A two-judge bench comprising Justice Iqbal Kalhoro and Justice Abdul Rehman reviewed the findings and directed the anti-terrorism court to conclude the trial without further delay, in line with the law. The bench also issued notices to accused Armaghan and his co-accused Sheeraz, asking both to submit their replies by September 22.
How the Case Reached This Point
Mustafa Amir, 23, was allegedly abducted and killed at a house in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority in January last year. Investigators say his body was later set on fire along with his car in the Hub area. His mother, Wajeeha Amir, has pursued the case through her lawyer since the early stages of the investigation, at one point rejecting an offer of blood money and insisting on a full trial instead.
The case has moved slowly through the courts. Earlier hearings saw disputes over the accused’s remand, a controversial order-tampering episode involving a trial court judge who was later removed from his administrative post, and multiple rounds of the family’s lawyer petitioning the high court over stalled proceedings.
Why the Delay Became a Legal Issue
Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, requires cases tried under it to move quickly, since it was designed for time-bound justice. The complainant’s counsel had argued that more than eighteen months had passed with barely any real progress, despite that legal requirement.
During earlier hearings, the court was told that proceedings had been disrupted for a mix of reasons: disagreements between the accused and his own parents, the defence lawyer’s absence on multiple dates, and claims from the defence that it lacked confidence in the trial court itself. The high court’s latest order effectively closes the door on further delay tactics, putting the responsibility on the anti-terrorism court to move the case toward a verdict.
What Happens Next
With replies due from both accused by September 22, attention now turns to whether the trial court can maintain the pace the high court has demanded. The case has drawn sustained public attention in Pakistan since Mustafa Amir went missing, and his mother’s persistence in pursuing accountability has kept it in the news through each stage of the legal process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Sindh High Court order in the Mustafa Amir case?
The SHC directed the anti-terrorism court to complete the trial early after finding prime accused Armaghan and his lawyer responsible for delaying the proceedings.
Who are the accused in the Mustafa Amir murder case?
The prime accused is Armaghan, along with his alleged accomplice Sheeraz. Both have been issued notices and asked to reply by September 22.
When did the Mustafa Amir case begin?
Mustafa Amir, 23, was allegedly abducted and killed in January last year at a house in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority.
Why was there a delay in the trial?
The trial court’s report cited repeated adjournments linked to the conduct of the accused and his lawyer during hearings.
This report is based on reporting from ARY News, Dawn, and The Express Tribune.
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