Scene 1 – The Breaking Point
Location: Investigation Room, Islamabad Police Headquarters – Midnight
The room smelled of sweat, stress, and lies. A single bulb hung from the ceiling, swinging slightly, casting uneven shadows across the faces of Asif and Bilal. Both were slouched in their chairs, hands cuffed to the steel table. The sound of the ceiling fan hummed like a distant engine.
Inspector Haroon stood silently in the corner, his arms crossed, observing. Two other officers, DSP Kamran and Sub-Inspector Zafar, were seated opposite the suspects. A tray of cold tea cups lay untouched on the table. It had been five hours—five long hours of relentless questioning.
Zafar slammed his palm on the table.
Zafar (firm tone): "Asif! Stop playing games. We already know half the story. Tell us the truth before it's too late."
Asif shifted uncomfortably, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Bilal looked exhausted but strangely calm, his eyes darting occasionally toward Asif.
Bilal (breaking the silence): "Inspector… I've told you everything. Noman—the floor manager at Amana Superstore—he's the link. He arranged the storage and distribution."
Haroon stepped forward slowly, his voice measured but sharp.
Haroon: "And what about you, Asif? You said something about a friend named Rehan, didn't you? The son of a senator?"
Asif swallowed hard. His earlier confidence seemed to crumble.
Asif (hesitant): "Yes… Rehan Malik. He's the one who gave me the packet. He told me he works with big people. He said… he said his father is a senator. Senator Ahmed Gill Mallah."
Zafar exchanged a quick glance with DSP Kamran. Haroon leaned closer, placing both hands on the table.
Haroon (coldly): "Are you sure about that? This isn't a small claim, Asif. You're accusing the son of a sitting member of the National Assembly."
Asif nodded nervously.
Asif: "I'm sure. That's what he told me. His father… he even showed me a picture once. Said no one can touch him."
Bilal let out a sarcastic laugh, shaking his head.
Bilal: "You fool… you believed him? You think these people show their real faces to you?"
Asif's lips trembled. His world was collapsing, and deep down, he knew Bilal was right.
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Scene 2 – The Truth Surfaces
Location: Same Room, 3:30 AM
The officers left the room briefly, leaving Haroon alone with the two men. Haroon pulled a chair and sat across from Asif, lowering his tone to something almost conversational.
Haroon: "Asif… I've seen men like you before. Caught between fear and greed. You wanted extra income, right? Just like you said earlier. But now you're in deep water. Do you know why?"
Asif kept his eyes on the table. Haroon continued.
Haroon: "Because if you lie one more time, you're going down for every single name you've given us. Including a senator's son. So here's your chance. Tell me the truth. Who is Rehan Malik?"
There was a long pause. Then, like a dam breaking, words started pouring out.
Asif (softly): "He… he's not a senator's son. He lied to me. His real name is Rehan Malik, yes, but he's… he's a jail escapee from Karachi Central Jail."
Haroon's eyes narrowed.
Haroon: "Go on."
Asif (gathering courage): "Seven years sentence. Drug trafficking, arms supply… all big crimes. He escaped after six months. Said he had connections, said the police would never find him. He came to Islamabad two months ago. I met him through a friend in F-10 Markaz. He offered me quick money. I was stupid… greedy."
Bilal snorted.
Bilal: "Stupid doesn't even begin to cover it."
Haroon ignored Bilal, his mind processing every word.
Haroon: "And Senator Ahmed Gill Mallah's son?"
Asif (shaking his head): "Doesn't exist. Well… his son exists, but not in this story. His name is Umar, studying in Oxford. I checked later when I started doubting Rehan. But by then, I was already trapped."
Haroon stood, his jaw tightening.
Haroon: "Why didn't you come to us when you found out?"
Asif (pleading): "He threatened me, sir. Said he'd kill me and my family. I swear… I didn't know it would go this far."
Haroon walked to the door, signaling to Zafar.
Haroon: "Keep them under watch. And Zafar… no calls in or out. No mistakes."
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Scene 3 – The Silent Storm
Location: Haroon's Office – Early Morning (6:00 AM)
Haroon sat at his desk, files scattered like fallen leaves. The early morning light seeped through the blinds. His phone buzzed—it was a report from Karachi Police confirming what Asif had said.
Karachi CID Report:
Rehan Malik. Age 32. Escaped convict. Wanted for drug smuggling, arms trafficking, suspected gang affiliations.
Haroon exhaled slowly. His instincts had been right—this wasn't just a local racket; it was a nationwide network.
A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. It was DSP Kamran.
Kamran: "Sir, there's more. During cross-checking, we found that this Rehan guy used fake IDs under three different names. And guess what? Two of those were used to book storage spaces in commercial areas."
Haroon rubbed his forehead.
Haroon: "This is bigger than I thought. Where's the third name?"
Kamran: "No trace yet. But we'll get it."
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Scene 4 – The Arrest at Amana Superstore
Location: Amana Superstore, Blue Area – 9:30 AM
The city was just waking up when Haroon's car rolled into the parking lot of Amana Superstore. Dressed in plain clothes, he blended with the morning crowd. Two undercover constables trailed behind him, pretending to be shoppers.
Inside, the hum of activity masked the tension in Haroon's eyes. He walked up to the customer service desk.
Haroon (calm tone): "Excuse me. I'm looking for Mr. Noman, the floor manager."
The young woman behind the counter smiled politely.
Receptionist: "He's on the ground floor, sir. Should I call him?"
Haroon nodded. Minutes later, Noman appeared—a tall man in his early thirties, neatly dressed, wearing a practiced smile.
Noman: "Yes, sir? How can I help you?"
Haroon's expression didn't change.
Haroon: "Yes… you can help. I'm Inspector Haroon." (flashes his badge discreetly) "And you're coming with us."
Noman's smile froze.
Noman: "Excuse me? Is this some kind of joke?"
Haroon stepped closer, his voice low but cutting like a blade.
Haroon: "Does it look like I'm joking? We can do this quietly here… or very loudly outside. Your choice."
Two plainclothes officers flanked Noman. He glanced around nervously, then lowered his voice.
Noman: "Please… not here. Let me… let me get my phone."
Haroon (grabbing his arm): "You won't need it."
Without a scene, they walked him out through the staff exit. Within minutes, Noman was in the back of an unmarked police vehicle, heading straight to the station.
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Scene 5 – Haroon's Resolve
Location: Police Headquarters – Noon
Haroon stood before a large evidence board covered with photographs, names, and red strings connecting them like a deadly web. Rehan Malik's photo now sat in the center.
Haroon (to himself): "You think you can run forever, Rehan? Let's see how far you get this time."
He picked up the phone, dialing a number he rarely used.
Haroon: "Commissioner Siddiqui? We've got a major breakthrough. But this case… it's about to explode."
Fade out.
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