Rs 24 billion black scorpions case: What the Sindh High Court record reveals

A payment dispute linked to a 2014 agreement for the sale of black scorpions has reached the Constitutional Bench of the Sindh High Court (SHC) with four petitioners seeking answers from Pakistani banks over funds they claim remain unresolved.

KARACHI: A payment dispute linked to a 2014 agreement for the sale of black scorpions has reached the Constitutional Bench of the Sindh High Court (SHC) with four petitioners seeking answers from Pakistani banks over funds they claim remain unresolved.

According to court documents obtained by Minute Mirror the dispute originates from an agreement dated December 9, 2014 signed in Lahore between Muhammad Shafiq of Pakistan and a representative of Germany-based SAT IN LLC. The document describes the sale of two black scorpions weighing 715 grams and 340 grams respectively and mentions a consideration of €464 million, payable through a telegraphic transfer via Barclays Bank in Germany. The amount and transaction details have yet to be independently verified.

The petition states that the overall transaction involved 14 beneficiaries. Ten allegedly received their funds abroad while four chose to receive their respective payments through bank accounts in Pakistan. The four petitioners are Juma Khan, Muhammad Siddique, Allah Razi and Riaz Ahmed who are represented by their special attorney, Muhammad Arif Jamaldini.

The petitioners allege that banks failed to release or properly account for their remittances despite repeated applications, reminders and legal notices. They claim the prolonged delay caused significant financial losses and hardship. They have asked the court to direct the banks to produce complete transaction records, including SWIFT messages inward remittance documents credit advice and correspondence with intermediary banks.

The respondents include the State Bank of Pakistan, Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan United Bank Limited, Bank Alfalah and Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan. The petitioners have also requested an independent inquiry preservation of banking records and the release of any funds found to be lawfully payable.

According to the court order dated September 9, 2026 notices were issued to the respondents and the Deputy Attorney General. At the October 13 hearing, the banks sought additional time to submit their replies, and the court granted a further month.

The case remains at an initial stage, and the court has not ruled on the allegations. Verification of the claimed international transfer the agreement’s financial terms and the status of the funds will be crucial to determining the dispute.

The proceedings could also raise broader questions about cross-border payments, banking compliance and the handling of disputed foreign remittances in Pakistan.