Karachi – October 27: Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar on Sunday ordered a judicial inquiry into the death of an 18-year-old in police custody, following allegations that the teenager died as a result of torture while detained by Karachi’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU).
The deceased, Muhammad Irfan, was arrested along with three friends on October 22 by SIU personnel. According to SIU SSP Amjad Ahmed Shaikh, the group was brought to the SIU/CIA Centre in Saddar around 5:30 p.m., and within 15 minutes, Irfan’s condition deteriorated. He was shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
While police have attributed the death to a heart attack, Irfan’s family alleges he was tortured. Preliminary post-mortem findings conducted in the presence of a judicial magistrate at JPMC revealed multiple injuries on his body, suggesting possible foul play.
A spokesperson for the Home Department said Minister Lanjar had directed the additional chief secretary (home) to begin the judicial inquiry immediately. The statement emphasized the need for a thorough forensic investigation, adding that those found responsible “should be taken to task” and the case concluded “with the help of modern techniques.”
It has been directed that “a thorough forensic investigation of the incident be carried out, and whosoever is involved should be taken to task”. https://t.co/zw37Y2VDna
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) October 26, 2025
Lanjar expressed regret over the incident, saying he was “sorry that the child has died in police custody.”
Relatives and supporters of the victim staged a protest on Saturday at the Edhi morgue in Sohrab Goth, blocking the main road for several hours. The sit-in ended after senior police officials assured demonstrators that justice would be served. Irfan’s body was later transported to his native village in Ahmedpur East, Bahawalpur, where thousands attended his funeral.
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An FIR has been registered at Saddar Police Station under Sections 34 and 319 of the Pakistan Penal Code against seven SIU/CIA officers. Two policemen have been arrested, and seven others suspended pending investigation. Authorities have also indicated that Section 302 (intentional murder) may be added once the final medical report is received.
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