Saulat video jolts political landscape

E-Paper | July 25, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Following the dramatic last-minute decision to postpone the execution of death row prisoner Saulat Mirza, the government on Thursday decided to reopen the investigation into the murder of former Karachi Electric Supply Company managing director Shahid Hamid.

Mirza’s execution was delayed on Wednesday night following the airing of a video that featured what appeared to be his final confession. On Thursday, sources in the interior ministry said that the execution had been put off for a month.

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In the video, broadcast on several private TV channels on Wednesday night and all-day Thursday, Mirza had confessed murdering Mr Hamid, allegedly on the orders of MQM chief Altaf Hussain, which were conveyed through his confidant, MQM leader Babar Ghauri. He also accused Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad of patronising criminals within the party.

Govt to reopen probe into KESC chief’s murder; Nisar phones Sindh governor

The message set off an explosive chain of events, which culminated on Thursday night with Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad denying rumours that he was stepping down.

Sources also suggested that the last-minute reprieve for Mirza could be to record an additional confessional statement.

The condemned man had hinted in the video released on Wednesday that he had more valuable information, and sources speculated that delaying his execution was an attempt to gather more information.

They also hinted that the execution might be delayed beyond a month’s time if it was felt that authorities needed more time to examine the information he had provided.

An official, speaking off the record, claimed that an interview where the MQM chief had disavowed Saulat Mirza might have convinced the condemned man to “speak the truth”.

But in an apparent move to ease the simmering political tensions following a Rangers raid on the party’s headquarters, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan called Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad on Thursday and assured him that no unconstitutional steps would be taken.

The telephonic conversation between the two leaders came as rumours of a reported decision to put a number of MQM leaders on the exit control list were circulating.

Though Mr Ibad denied he was stepping down, there was no official comment from the interior ministry on whether the names of nine MQM leaders had been placed on the exit control list. An official only said that no more names had so far been added to the list.

The Saulat Mirza case as well as the murder of Dr Imran Farooq was also the topic of discussion when British High Commissioner Philip Barton called on Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Wednesday.

It is telling that following his meeting with the interior minister, the British diplomat flew back to the UK on Thursday.

There has been speculation that the government of Pakistan has handed certain evidence over to the British authorities, but this claim could not be independently verified.

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2015

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Pakistan

Iftikhar A. Khan is an Islamabad-based reporter for Dawn with over three decades of experience in journalism. He covers the parliament, the Election Commission of Pakistan, and the Interior Ministry.

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Mustafa

Mar 20, 2015 06:37am

This video hasn't changed many minds, each side has simply dug in their heels.

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Bonkers

Mar 20, 2015 06:40am

Get a lie detector, hook it up to this guy and see if he's telling the truth. Not properly investigating this issue will put a major question mark on the credibility of the British Government.

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PakCanuck

Mar 20, 2015 06:41am

At a time, when Pakistan's primary security concern is Taliban, ISIS and the growing fundamentalism, these side shows are not going to help. It is beyond comprehension why PML-N, PTI, PPP and all other political parties are focusing on scoring political points when the barbarians are literally within Pakistan. Lets focus on that issue first. These side shows, as exciting as they are, remain side shows.

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Kadir Khan

Mar 20, 2015 06:48am

This needs to be taken very seriously. Govt to investigate the points disclosed by Mirza. Mr. Faroogh Nasim is an educated professional attorney. Govt to find an equally strong attorney to work on this case against mr Nasim.

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Syed Shere

Mar 20, 2015 06:54am

In my opinion Saulat's killing of the KESC MD was a free lance job which was paid for the KESC union who were being pressurised by the MD to earn an honest living, which the unions never are. Also, his confession can be authenticated by checking Babar Ghauri's telephone record for the date and time Mirza spoke with the Peer Saheb. Also, I am sure the British MI5 and the Pak BI were probably listening in to any communication between Mr. Ghauri and his boss in London. If it is so, the information should be shared with the public.

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AKNasser

Mar 20, 2015 02:34pm

Case of Saulat Mirza is a case of no ambiguity , why would an ordinary man , an activist of a political party go that far as to murder a high official, Shahid Hamid, MD Karachi Electric Supply. There is no denial that convict was an activist of MQM, who ordered him to commit this heinous crime? Therefore investigation should begin from sector incharge, tracking up to higher ups of MQM.

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public

Mar 20, 2015 02:58pm

"Saulat video jolts political landscape" And rattles Altaf Hussain.

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public

Mar 20, 2015 03:00pm

@Bonkers why not hook this lie detector up to Altaf Bhaijan and things will be absolutely clear?

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baymisal khan

Mar 20, 2015 06:01pm

i am not happy cos 8,456,153 people gave vote to mqm in 2013. why there is so much abhorrence against them. people dont condone these nuisance in 20th century.

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Junaid

Mar 20, 2015 07:27pm

it is a such a shame that these same political parties were sitting together after Army Public attack and brain storming ideas to counter terrorism. Yet these are the same parties involved in extortion, links to criminals, murders, corruption, target killings etc. I believe they are bigger threat to Pakistan than Taliban.

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sukhera

Mar 20, 2015 08:38pm

Pakistani government and its people owe to the family of Shahid Hamid, managing director of Karachi Electric Supply Company to investigate and find the real culprits behind his murder. We can verify the telephone records or calls between Mr Ghauri residence and MQM leader in London. If the telephone call records exist, it gives credence to Mirza's statement that he is telling the truth. I doubt very much that he is telling lies few hours before his death.

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Mustafa

Mar 20, 2015 08:43pm

@Syed Shere; KESC workers were earning an honest living long before. KESC was one of Pakistan very few performing institutions till feudalism started a masquerade as democracy.

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Mustafa

Mar 20, 2015 08:56pm

@Bonkers; "Get a lie detector, hook it up to this guy and see if he's telling the truth." Who will operate the lie detector?? A justice Iftikhar Chaudhary operating the device would get you a completely different answer than a justice Baqar Najafi.

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Mustafa

Mar 20, 2015 09:11pm

@AKNasser; "Case of Saulat Mirza is a case of no ambiguity" No ambiguity in any one mind, but not all the minds have arrived at the same conclusion. All camps are simply regurgitating their long held believes and biases, let us get beyond this pseudo debate and address the real question, can this nation produce three people who enjoy the confidence of 50% of it's populace?? I think not!!!. Just one, General Raheel Sharif.

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