{{short description|Pakistani murderer and political activist}} {{Infobox criminal | name = Saulat Mirza | native_name = {{URDU|صولت مرزا}} | native_name_lang = ur | birth_name = Saulat Ali Khan | birth_date = {{birth year|1971}} | birth_place = Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan | death_date = {{death date and age|2015|05|12|1971}} | death_place = Central Jail Macch, Balochistan, Pakistan | death_cause = Execution by hanging | resting_place = Muhammad Shah graveyard | nationality = | other_names = Saulat Mirza | citizenship = Pakistan | education = | alma_mater = University of Karachi<br>{{small|(B. Com)}} | occupation = Political activist | years_active = 1994–1998 | organization = APMSO | known_for = Contract killings | party = Muttahida Qaumi Movement | criminal_penalty = Death | criminal_status = Executed | spouse = Nighat Mirza<br>{{small|1997-2015}} | partner = | children = 1 | conviction = Murder (3 counts) }}

'''Saulat Mirza''' ({{langx|ur|{{URDU|صولت مرزا}}}} born '''Saulat Ali Khan''';<ref name="Washington Times">{{cite news|last1=Hassan|first1=Syed Shoaib|title=Trending in Pakistan: A Convicted Hit Man's Impending Hanging, and a Political Drama|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2015/03/19/trending-in-pakistan-a-convicted-hit-mans-impending-hanging-and-a-political-drama/|access-date=20 March 2015|agency=Washington Times|work=Washington Times|date=19 March 2015}}</ref> 1971<ref name="Rabia Ali of Express Tribune" />–12 May 2015), was a Pakistani convicted murderer, target killer, and a political activist of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).<ref name="Express Tribune">{{cite news|last1=News agencies|title=Confession from death row: Saulat Mirza says he killed KESC chief on Altaf's order|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/855563/confession-from-death-row-saulat-mirza-says-he-killed-kesc-chief-on-altafs-order/.|access-date=20 March 2015|agency=Express Tribune|publisher=Express Tribune|date=19 March 2015}}</ref>

In 1997, he was convicted of a triple murder and was awarded a death sentence for the targeted murder of Shahid Hamid, a bureaucrat and managing-director of KESC (now ''K-Electric''), along with his driver Ashraf Brohi, and his guard Khan Akbar, all of whom were killed in the neighborhood of Defence Housing Authority, Karachi on the 5 July 1997.<ref name="Washington Times"/> After being arrested by the CID in 1998 upon returning from Bangkok, Mirza was awarded death sentence by a Anti-Terrorism Court on 24 May 1999.<ref name="Dawn News, 2015"/> Since then, his family have filed clemency applications in two separate occasions: first in Sindh High Court in 2000 and in the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2002; all applications were rejected by the apex court.<ref name="Dawn News, 2015">{{cite news|last1=Iqbal|first1=Nasir|last2=Khan|first2=Abdul Shakoor|last3=Baloch|first3=Shafi|title=SC turns down Saulat Mirza appeal against return of second review petition|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1170137|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317193826/http://www.dawn.com/news/1170137|url-status=live|archive-date=March 17, 2015|access-date=20 March 2015|agency=Dawn News|publisher=Dawn News, 2015|date=17 March 2015}}</ref>

In 2013, his family submitted another application to President of Pakistan for clemency which was also rejected.<ref name="Dawn News, 2015"/> After a death warrant was issued on 11 March 2015, the execution was set to be carried out in Central Jail Mach in Balochistan on 19 March 2015.<ref name="Dunya News">{{cite news|last1=News Desk|title=Murder convict Saulat Mirza to be executed on March 19 in Karachi|url=http://dunyanews.tv/index.php/en/Pakistan/266735-Murder-convict-Saulat-Mirza-to-be-executed-on-Marc|access-date=20 March 2015|agency=Dunya News|publisher=Dunya News|date=11 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1170392/|title=Killed KESC chief on Altaf Hussain's orders, Saulat Mirza claims|work=dawn.com|date=19 March 2015 }}</ref><ref name="geo.tv">{{cite web|url=http://www.geo.tv/article-178565-Saulat-Mirza-to-be-hanged-on-Thursday|title=Saulat Mirza to be hanged on Thursday - PAKISTAN - geo.tv|date=18 March 2015|work=geo.tv}}</ref> Upon hearing the execution news, his family began pleading his case, where his wife and sisters held multiple press conferences, demanding a re-investigation.<ref name="Rabia Ali of Express Tribune" /> After releasing a confession video to multiple private news channels, where he leveled charges of murder involvement of Altaf Hussain, Mirza's execution was ultimately halted on presidential orders and an active investigation against MQM was launched by the Pakistan government.<ref name="GEO News">{{cite news|last1=News Desk|title=Govt decides to re-open murder case after Saulat Mirza's statement|url=http://www.geo.tv/article-178680-Govt-decides-to-re-open-murder-case-after-Saulat-Mirzas-statement|access-date=20 March 2015|agency=GEO News|publisher=GEO News|date=20 March 2015}}</ref><ref name="Dawn , Sanaullah">{{cite news|last1=Khan|first1=Sanuallah|title=Killed KESC chief on Altaf Hussain's orders, Saulat Mirza claims|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1170392|access-date=20 March 2015|agency=Dawn|publisher=Dawn , Sanaullah|date=19 March 2015}}</ref>

After rejecting the second and final appeal for clemency Mirza was executed on 12 May 2015 at the supermax facility, the Central Jail Macch, Balochistan, Pakistan.<ref name="Express ">{{cite web | url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/884909/saulat-mirza-hanged-in-mach-jail/ | title=Saulat Mirza hanged in Mach jail | publisher=Express Tribune | date=May 12, 2015 | access-date=May 12, 2015 | author=Web Desk}}</ref><ref name="dawn.com">{{cite web | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1181322/saulat-mirza-executed-at-balochistans-machh-jail | title=Saulat Mirza executed at Balochistan's Machh Jail | publisher=Dawn News | work=dawn.com | date=May 12, 2015 | access-date=May 12, 2015 | author=Maqbool Ahmed}}</ref>

==Early life and education== Saulat Mirza was born as Saulat Ali Khan in Karachi and grew up in the rural Malir neighborhood in Karachi, Sindh in 1971.<ref name="Crime Investigation Department">{{cite AV media | people =Crime Investigation Department archives | title =Confession video of Saulat Mirza: Interrogation Process | medium =Youtube | publisher =Crime Investigation Department | location =Unknown, CID Bureau | date =12 March 2015 | url =https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5ocRYPQsSg | access-date =20 March 2015 | archive-date =12 March 2016 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20160312112327/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5ocRYPQsSg | url-status =dead }}</ref> In his interrogation process, he confirmed his Geographical distribution of Urdu speakers background<ref name="Crime Investigation Department"/> and his Rohilla ancestry;<ref name="Crime Investigation Department"/> his parents emigrated from what is now India to Pakistan at the time of the partition of British India.<ref name="Crime Investigation Department"/> His father, Wajahat Ali Khan, worked as an army civilian staff clerk in the Pakistan Army, whereas his mother was a housewife.<ref name="Crime Investigation Department"/> He was the youngest of 11 siblings, consisting of six brothers and five sisters.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Hasan |first=Shazia |date=20 March 2015 |title=Mirza told his wife 'nothing was going to happen to him' |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1170684 |website=Dawn News}}</ref>

After matriculating from a local school, Mirza initially enrolled for pre-medical degree but instead ended up getting intermediate diploma in Commerce from Pakistan Shipowners College.<ref name="Crime Investigation Department"/> He eventually graduated from the BCom from the business school of Karachi University.<ref name="Crime Investigation Department"/> Years later, while in jail, he would complete a Master's degree.<ref name=":0" />

It was during his college years that Mirza joined the All Pakistan Muttahidda Students Organization (APMSO), taking strong participation in student politics.<ref name="Crime Investigation Department" /> The APMSO was the student wing of then known as Mohajir Qaumi Movement later changed into Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). During these days Mirza was an avid fan of Pakistan cricket team and often played cricket as well as table tennis.<ref name="Rabia Ali of Express Tribune">{{cite news|last1=Ali|first1=Rabia|title=Saulat's love: The woman behind Karachi's most notorious target killer|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/855174/saulats-love-the-woman-behind-karachis-most-notorious-target-killer/|access-date=20 March 2015|work=Special report on Mirza by Rabia Ali|agency=Express Tribune|publisher=Rabia Ali of Express Tribune|date=18 March 2015}}</ref>

Mirza was described as young good looking and attractive person and a devoted worker of the MQM.<ref name="Rabia Ali of Express Tribune" />

==Political career and targeted killings== {{See also|MQM Militancy}} After joining the MQM and taking part in national politics, Mirza soon participated in illegal activities such as extortion and involved in acquitting in political murders.<ref name="Crime Investigation Department" /> Mirza largely remained unknown and was not a known figure in the MQM until 1995 when his close friend Faheem Farooqi got arrested in 1995 and described him as his right-hand man.<ref name="Dawn news, May 2015">{{cite news|last1=Azfar-ul-Ashfaque|title=Profile: The militant both party and state used|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1181385|access-date=14 May 2015|agency=Dawn news|publisher=Dawn news, May 2015|date=13 May 2015}}</ref> At one time, Mirza was a major figure in the militant wing of the MQM, running several death cells.<ref name="BBC Pakistan Bureau, 1998">{{cite news|last1=BBC staff workers|title=South Asia Police claim Karachi violence arrest|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/|access-date=24 March 2015|agency=BBC Pakistan Bureau|publisher=BBC Pakistan Bureau, 1998|date=6 December 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150324001645/http://www.bbc.co.uk/|archive-date=24 March 2015|location=Karachi. Sindh|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>

He was accused of coordinating the murders of six U.S. nationals in Shahrah-e-Faisal in Karachi, but he denied involvement in the killing of two US diplomats and four U.S. nationals of an American Oil Company in the city in 1994.<ref name="BBC Pakistan Bureau, 1998"/> However, the investigation later revealed Farood Dada, leader of the Nadeem Commando, and an accomplice of Mirza, was the main culprit. Farooq was later killed in a police encounter in 1995 by Karachi Police.<ref name=":1">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvRiE-cRs5M |title=PAKISTAN: KARACHI: MQM MEMBER SHOT DEAD BY POLICE |date=2015-07-21 |last=AP Archive |access-date=2025-10-03 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=PAKISTAN: KARACHI: MQM MEMBER SHOT DEAD BY POLICE |url=https://newsroom.ap.org/editorial-photos-videos/detail?itemid=49b59f83bb057c3470257a96cbc8e4f2&mediatype=video&source=youtube |access-date=2025-10-12 |website=newsroom.ap.org}}</ref> Since then, the FIA and the intelligence community had him under strict surveillance.<ref name="News International, 2015">{{cite news|last1=Mir|first1=Amir|title=Saulat Mirza: the first target killer to face the gallows|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/|access-date=24 March 2015|agency=News International|issue=Special report by Amir Mir on Saulat Mirza|publisher=News International, 2015|date=13 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326090319/http://www.thenews.com.pk/|archive-date=26 March 2015|location=Karachi, Sindh|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> Although, Mirza did admit to killing a number of people, including a Pakistani employee of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in 1995.<ref name="BBC Pakistan Bureau, 1998"/> Mirza reportedly fled the country in 1995 after Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto initiated a massive crackdown against MQM and returned home after Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's dismissal in 1996.<ref name="Dawn news, May 2015"/>

On 5 July 1997, he shot and killed the Managing Director of Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) Shahid Hamid, his driver and guard in Karachi.<ref name="geo.tv"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://admin.samaa.tv/pakistan/18-Mar-2015/saulat-mirza-s-execution-on-thursday/|title=Saulat Mirza's execution on Thursday|work=Samaa TV}}</ref> He reportedly escaped to Bangkok and only returned to Karachi 2 weeks after his mother's death on 10 December 1998.<ref name="News International, 2015"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/855174/saulats-love-the-woman-behind-karachis-most-notorious-target-killer/|title=Saulat's love: The woman behind Karachi's most notorious target killer|last=Ali|first=Rabia|date=18 March 2015|website=The Express Tribune|access-date=}}</ref> A day later, on 11 December 1998, Mirza was arrested from the Jinnah Terminal in a sting operation led by CID officer Aslam Khan and was described as a "prize catch."<ref name="BBC Pakistan Bureau, 1998"/><ref name="News International, 2015"/>

During his arrest, Mirza confessed that he was involved in a number of murders of innocent people, including several high-profile personalities, in the presence of DIG Sindh Police Ameen Qureshi.<ref name="dawn.com KESC">{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1170392|title=Killed KESC chief on Altaf Hussain's orders, Saulat Mirza claims|work=dawn.com|date=19 March 2015 }}</ref> Mirza's wife later testified that he was in contact with Altaf Hussain just before arrest, though the MQM denied the charge.<ref name="News International, May 2015">{{cite news|title=Saulat Mirza was in contact with Altaf Hussain just before arrest: wife |url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-179837-Saulat-Mirza-was-in-contact-with-Altaf-Hussain-just-before-arrest:-wife#sthash.hbgta7GR.dpuf|access-date=14 May 2015|agency=News International|publisher=13 News International, May 2015|date=13 May 2015}}</ref>

In May 1999, the Anti-Terrorist Court awarded him a death sentence for the triple-murder case of MD of Karachi Electric Supply Corporation Shahid Hamid, his driver Ashraf Brohi and guard Akbar Khan.

In june 2018, he was transferred supermax facility, the Central Jail Macch in Balochistan, and was placed in the Death Cell after his mercy plea was rejected by Sindh High Court and President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain.<ref name="admin.samaa.tv">{{cite web|url=http://admin.samaa.tv/pakistan/18-Mar-2015/saulat-mirza-s-execution-on-thursday|title=Saulat Mirza's execution on Thursday|work=Samaa TV}}</ref>

The Anti-Terrorism court issued the black warrant on 12 March against Mirza to be executed on 19 March 2015 in the early morning at Machh Jail Baluchistan. His sister filed another petition in Supreme Court seeking delay in execution but two-Judge bench turned down her appeal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/852128/saulat-mirzas-sister-files-petition-seeking-delay-of-execution/|title=Saulat Mirza's sister files petition seeking delay of execution|work=The Express Tribune|date=12 March 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/852628/shc-turns-down-plea-seeking-delay-of-saulat-mirzas-execution/|title=SHC turns down plea seeking delay of Saulat Mirza's execution|work=The Express Tribune|date=13 March 2015 }}</ref>

A few hours before Mirza's scheduled execution a video tape was released on Electronic Media of Mirza's confession, in which he accused MQM of ordering him to perform the crime.<ref name="tribune.com.pk">{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/855563/confession-from-death-row-saulat-mirza-says-he-killed-kesc-chief-on-altafs-order/|title=Confession from death row: Saulat Mirza says he killed KESC chief on Altaf's order|work=The Express Tribune|date=19 March 2015 }}</ref> The MQM chief Altaf Hussain denied having met with Saulat and said there was no evidence, but instead claimed a conspiracy against MQM.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kashir|first1=Anis|title=Saulat Mirza was thrown out of MQM: Altaf Hussain|url=http://arynews.tv/en/saulat-mirza-was-thrown-out-of-mqm-altaf-hussain|access-date=14 May 2015|agency=ARY News|publisher=ARY News|date=14 May 2015}}</ref><ref name="ARY news, 215">{{cite news|last1=Ahmad|first1=Anis|title=Altaf Hussain says he never met or spoke to Saulat Mirza|url=http://arynews.tv/en/altaf-hussain-says-never-met-or-spoke-to-saulat-mirza.|access-date=14 May 2015|agency=ARY news|publisher=ARY news, 215|date=19 March 2015}}</ref> == Execution and burial == The execution originally scheduled for 19 March 2015 was deferred for 72 hours.<ref name="tribune.com.pk"/> An anti-terrorism court in Karachi re-issued a black warrant on 23 March 2015.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/858138/karachi-special-court-re-issues-fresh-death-warrant-for-saulat-mirza/|title=Death warrant re-issued for Saulat Mirza|work=The Express Tribune|date=24 March 2015 }}</ref> On 12 May 2015 at 4:30&nbsp;a.m., Saulat Mirza was hanged till death at Machh Jail in Baluchistan, Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/12-May-2015/saulat-mirza-sent-to-gallows-at-machh-jail|title=Saulat Mirza sent to gallows at Machh jail|work=DailyTimes}}</ref> His body was flown from Quetta to Karachi via PIA flight.<ref name="Express News, Rabia Ali">{{cite news|last1=Ali|first1=Rabia|title=Saulat Mirza hanged in Machh jail|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/884909/saulat-mirza-hanged-in-mach-jail/|access-date=14 May 2015|agency=Express News|publisher=Express News, Rabia Ali|date=14 May 2015}}</ref>

Mirza's last prayers and ceremony were performed in Karachi and he was laid to rest at Muhammad Shah graveyard, North Karachi, which was attended by his close friends, family members and neighbours.<ref name="Express Tribune, Ali">{{cite news|last1=Ali|first1=Rabia|title=The last goodbye: Nazi bids farewell to Saulat Mirza|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/885264/the-last-goodbye-nighat-bids-farewell-to-saulat-mirza/|access-date=14 May 2015|agency=Express Tribune|publisher=Express Tribune, Ali|date=12 May 2015}}</ref><ref name="Dunya News, 2015">{{cite news|last1=Dunya News|title=Saulat Mirza laid to rest in Karachi|url=http://dunyanews.tv/index.php/en/Pakistan/278831-Saulat-Mirza-laid-to-rest-in-Karachi|access-date=14 May 2015|agency=Dunya News|publisher=Dunya News, 2015|date=14 May 2015}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== * [http://www.pherolist.com/saulat-mirza-to-be-executed-on-12th-may.html Saulat Mirza New Execution Date & Video Statement]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mirza, Saulat}} Category:1971 births Category:2015 deaths Category:People from Karachi Category:University of Karachi alumni Category:Muhajir people Category:Muttahida Qaumi Movement politicians Category:People executed by Pakistan by hanging Category:Pakistani people convicted of murder Category:People convicted of murder by Pakistan