KARACHI: A judicial commission probing the alleged murder of businessman Mir Raza Ali has launched proceedings, summoning police officials, a medico-legal officer and ambulance drivers as it begins examining the circumstances surrounding his death.
Sindh High Court Justice Omar Sial, who is heading the commission, expressed condolences to Raza’s family when his parents and sister appeared before the panel.
The deceased businessman’s father, Mir Hussain, told the commission that he had no confidence in the ongoing investigation and remained convinced that his son had been murdered. Raza, an IBA graduate, was found dead in Gulistan-e-Jauhar on July 29, a day after he was reported missing.
The family’s counsel, Jibran Nasir, raised serious concerns about the earlier investigation, alleging “criminal negligence” and questioning the police response after Raza’s body was discovered.
Nasir told the commission that the family reached the scene at around 1:30pm, while no police officer was present between 11:30am and 1:30pm. He said two policemen eventually reached the location, although their names were not provided to the family.
The body was subsequently shifted to Jinnah Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Nasir identified medico-legal officer Dr Osama Sheikh as the doctor who conducted the examination.
According to the lawyer, a missing-person FIR had been registered at around 3:15pm on July 28, while a nursery employee later alerted police after noticing the body.
The commission summoned the two nursery workers who allegedly saw the body, the policemen who reached the site, the ambulance drivers who transported the body and Dr Sheikh for further questioning.
Commission Seeks Investigation Record
Justice Sial directed the Sindh government to submit all relevant records by the following day, including police and medical documents, witness statements, reports and original case material.
He said the commission would examine the shortcomings in the investigation, police performance and any negligence identified during the proceedings.
Justice Sial clarified that the commission was not itself conducting a criminal investigation but would focus on identifying mistakes and lapses.
He also assured the parties that he would maintain impartiality throughout the proceedings, saying he would not hold private meetings with anyone during the commission’s work.
The commission further asked about the availability of CCTV footage from the area. Nasir said footage from a nearby mosque had been shown, but the complete recording had not been provided to the family.
The judge directed the Sindh government to publish advertisements in Urdu, English and Sindhi newspapers seeking information from the public. He also said the government would be asked to announce a Rs100,000 reward for useful information.
Nasir told the commission that an FIR had been registered against 20 people who had gathered to express support for Raza’s family. The case allegedly relates to slogans demanding justice for Raza on Shahrah-e-Faisal.
The panel also discussed whether investigation officer Siraj Lashari could assist its proceedings. Justice Sial said the officer could be questioned about the investigation if he appeared before the commission.
The judicial commission has adjourned further proceedings until September 1.
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