Former minister's son arrested in murder case probe

E-Paper | March 16, 2026

LAHORE: Lahore police on the orders of Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif arrested Mustafa Kanjo, the son of former state minister of foreign affairs Siddique Kanjo, in connection with a murder case.

SSP Investigations Rana Ayaz Saleem stated that Kanjo was arrested from Khushab today (Thursday) for allegedly firing his gun near Cavalry Ground after an argument over a car accident, which led to the killing of 16-year-old Zain who was passing by on a motor-bike.

The case was filed at a local police station. Seven of Kanjo's security guards and domestic staff were arrested last night. However, on CM Shahbaz's orders the main culprit Kanjo was arrested today after investigation of the incident.

The victim's uncle told DawnNews that the family has been getting threatening phonecalls from Kanjo's family to take back the case, after which Zain's family urged CM Shahbaz to take notice and asked for police protection.

Kanjo will be handed over to SP investigation Mustafa Hameed and will be presented in court for suitable punishment for his crime after the investigation is concluded.

The victim's postmortem was completed this morning and the initial reports confirm that Zain was killed by a bullet.

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Awais Ali

Apr 02, 2015 03:53pm

Justice must prevail either it be a common man or a minister,s son.

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rkc

Apr 02, 2015 04:02pm

Pakistan Zindabad!

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Gerry dcunha

Apr 02, 2015 04:09pm

Just an eye wash, nothing will happen,he will manage to get bail - this can only happen in Pakistan

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nisar

Apr 02, 2015 04:10pm

He will escape the justice as it is only meant for poor in Pakistan and not for big guns. The family will buy out his release through corruption

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Ali Shah

Apr 02, 2015 04:17pm

How come the CM had to ask / order police to arrest Kanju ? Why did police not arrest him earlier and without CM's orders ? Who, if any, would bother to reply this big question ???

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khanm

Apr 02, 2015 04:18pm

Nothing will happen... victim's family will eventually agree for blood money.. Misused of the religious laws what else...

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Whistle Blower

Apr 02, 2015 04:26pm

SS don't let the culprit to be a free bird after the issue gets older.......the convict should be treated as a normal prisoner .....not to be treated as VVIP due to his.....dads political carrier....

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Sehr siddiqui

Apr 02, 2015 04:26pm

The boy will be released honorably as the history tells us. The guard will be booked and the boy will move out with a victory smile. So is the law in Pakistan. Shahzeb Jatoi who was flown to Dubai with the help of Bilawal House PRO and FIA is a recent case, Civil society pressure got this boy back in the country. Rhe Medico Legal Officer declared him under age and finally he was acquitted as he was released on yet another plea that victom"s family pardoned. Money can play all the tricks. Here also money will decide the case.

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Ahmed Kafeel

Apr 02, 2015 04:29pm

the court should punish the criminal even after they found that both the parties had an agreement as most of the agreements are framed under pressure, and the other thing is that every wealthy must learn the lesson that with their money power they cant buy the law

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M.Saeed

Apr 02, 2015 04:36pm

"---will be presented in court for suitable punishment for his crime after the investigation"? Why respectfully presented in court and not arraigned before the court like other ordinary criminals? What is suitable punishment and not as dictated by the law?

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M. Siddique

Apr 02, 2015 04:41pm

Let us see if it is for newspapers only or the accused will be prosecuted. Seeing is believing.

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Farooq

Apr 02, 2015 04:45pm

We are terrorised as common citizens. I have never scene Taliban's but I daily cross many ex and present ministers and their son's cars on my way to office. Now it feels like that we live in a jungle where wild beasts like wolves are wandering on roads and we never know when will we be killed by one. Why CM has to intervene why police does not do its job impartially?

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Taimoor Ashraf

Apr 02, 2015 04:48pm

Why does the police always wait for CMs order before making a lawful arrest?

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BHANGI CHAMAR

Apr 02, 2015 05:15pm

@Taimoor Ashraf Great comment. Police not morally strong enough.

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Gerry dcunha

Apr 02, 2015 05:15pm

@Taimoor Ashraf This only happens in Punjab

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Riaz M M

Apr 02, 2015 05:20pm

This shows how urgent it is to disarm the politicians of all shades and also these Waderas wherever they are.The action should not be confined to Karachi and Sindh.Antirely modern well equipped Police Force distinct from old traditional police is also a must.

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aman

Apr 02, 2015 05:22pm

this kind of cases happened before also and nothing happened and nothing will happen this time also.

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ahmad

Apr 02, 2015 05:25pm

''Lahore police on the orders of Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif arrested Mustafa Kanjo'' why on CM orders, cant police work independently.

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BHANGI CHAMAR

Apr 02, 2015 05:30pm

@Gerry dcunha CM is the sole power behind whatever to be carried out..

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Asaf

Apr 02, 2015 05:31pm

Why does the CM have to intervene? Why can't police arrest a VIP if he/she is guilty of a crime.

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CYRUS

Apr 02, 2015 05:31pm

Another arrogant rich boy who thought he could get away with murder; but only suspected of that until proven in a court of law. That is how it will play out in the Court of Public Opinion.

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adnan

Apr 02, 2015 05:47pm

another use of the illegal and wrong use of islamic law in Pakistan deliberate murder cannot be forgiven by 'state' let us see how our goons handle it now, police has done its job. arrersted and produced.

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adnan

Apr 02, 2015 05:48pm

btw- displaying your weapon ( semi or fully automatic) is a crime under the new Punjab govt. ordinance. so he is under ATC charges as well!

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sheryar

Apr 02, 2015 05:51pm

Nothing will happen to the ministers son just like nothing happened in the Shahzeb murder case

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Osman

Apr 02, 2015 06:04pm

So that's what gonna happen: 'One of the Kanjo's security guard will say that he fired the gun and not Kanjo. The security guard will rot in prison while his family would be well taken care of'.

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Aurangzeb

Apr 02, 2015 06:10pm

common man or a minister,s son..waste if tax payers money & time.

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Haider Rehman

Apr 02, 2015 06:32pm

Why is police not independent? Why follow CM's orders?

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Junaid

Apr 02, 2015 06:43pm

did anything happened with Shahzeb case? similarly nothing will happen in this as well. Kanjo will be let go. One of his guard will be asked to accept the crime. His family will be paid. They guard will stay in the prison on behalf of Kanjo. Or worst come worst, guard will still go to jail and just to prove the justice exist in our society our coward judges will send him to VIP prison for 3 to 6 months.

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Junaid

Apr 02, 2015 06:43pm

@Taimoor Ashraf totally agreed. Why did it take CM permission to arrest the culprit.

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Farrukh Munir

Apr 02, 2015 07:06pm

Well we all know that the police is powerless when these so called democrats come to power but let's hope that the deceased's family can get justice. It's not only the police, it's the hospital staff who carry out the postmortem, the legal system where the rich can buy off the judges and so on. All these things have to be brought in line only then people can expect to get justice from this failed system.

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Mansoor

Apr 02, 2015 07:17pm

I agree with the comments on VIP culture but I also would strongly support positive reinforcement. Police must arrest in line with available evidence. At the same time they need to have the assurance that they will not be subject to ridicule or assault. It is high time that we have an independent police with an independent police commission to oversee its activities.

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KUKhan

Apr 02, 2015 07:29pm

As in other cases of similar nature, the investigation will find that the bullet was fired by his guards and not by Kanjo, or even if it was fired by him, our laws always have an attractive jail-free card in the shape of pardon by the victim's family after they have been threatened with life. Such are the ways of injustice and might is right in our country, yet no one in the land of Islam can dare provide justice to the grieved.

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akhan

Apr 02, 2015 07:30pm

Blood money will show-up again. We need to recognize these are crimes against the the society as well as an individual and his family. Crime against individual can be settled through blood money and individual can be spared his life in accordance with Sharia but crime against state shall remain and shall result in at least in life in prison.

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Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali

Apr 02, 2015 07:33pm

The kid si gone and at least the State can protect the parents and siblings.

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Rizwan

Apr 02, 2015 08:15pm

Justice should be done without any favor. Also the victim's family should be provided security.

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maverick

Apr 02, 2015 09:54pm

well done!!! I must say pak is moving in right direction.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Apr 02, 2015 10:02pm

Good action by police which will go a long way in getting rid of the so-called VIP culture in the "land of the pure."

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anony

Apr 02, 2015 10:53pm

Excellent change in the country. ALL murderers, irrespective of their background, MUST be dealt with.

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Azad Khial

Apr 02, 2015 10:56pm

Why do we have to be always so cynical and pessimistic? We could find gold in Pakistan and we would find a million reasons why it's tragic. An optimistic breeze blows in our country. The security situation (our major problem) is getting better. We are as united in opposition to militancy as I have ever seen. The world keeps looking at us and hoping that the 6th largest country in the world, a nuclear power, will fulfil it's potential. But we just carp. We cynically dismiss everything good that happens for the morbid pleasure of saying I told you so. Please!! Not everyone is corrupt and not everyone is out to get us. Let us quit our petulant whining and work hard to make a better future. Our whining affects no one but ourselves.

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Muhammed ali

Apr 02, 2015 11:00pm

Why did S Sharif have to tell the police to do their job....are they not paid to do it and do it properly?

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mohammad akhtar

Apr 03, 2015 12:30am

No body is above the law. Good decision by Chief Minister. Hope Kanjo pays the price for terror.

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M.Saeed

Apr 03, 2015 12:42am

Nab the father as well. The genetic continuity is to be blamed.

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Dr Syed

Apr 03, 2015 01:03am

Why terrorism section not included?

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ADDK49

Apr 03, 2015 01:41am

I hope and pray that early justice be given to victim.

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@expat

Apr 03, 2015 02:12am

Should be tried under anti terrorist court. Indiscriminate firing with an illegal automatic weapon , in public , killing people, doesn't fall under section 302.

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Pak patriot

Apr 03, 2015 02:57am

@khanm But those are Islamic laws aren't they ?

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usman

Apr 03, 2015 05:47am

@akhan Absolutely correct

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Masood Haider

Apr 03, 2015 06:34am

The provision of "Qoon Baha' must be scraped off from all books of laws in Pakistan. It leads to letting the rich get away literally with murder and to denial of justice to the poor.

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