A Sindh judicial commission criticised serious investigative lapses and recommended further action, including a joint investigation team.
KARACHI, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: A judicial commission investigating the death of Karachi businessman Mir Raza Ali has identified serious failures in the police investigation, concluding that the handling of the case fell short of the standards required for a credible prosecution.
The commission, headed by Sindh High Court Justice Omar Sial, criticised investigative procedures, supervision and evidence handling. It also recommended further investigation and accountability measures to address the shortcomings identified in its report.
The Sindh cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, decided on October 20 to make the inquiry report public. The provincial government also established a four-member committee to oversee implementation of its recommendations
Commission identifies serious police lapses
According to the report, police initially responded promptly after receiving information about a body, but subsequent investigative steps raised serious concerns.
The commission found that required procedures had not been consistently followed and criticised the lack of proper supervision, documentation and coordination among officers involved in the investigation.
It also raised concerns about the initial focus on a possible suicide, saying investigators relied on unverified material and selected video footage instead of adequately examining alternative explanations for the death.
The report said the possibility of an active cover-up during the early stages could not be conclusively ruled out. However, the commission did not establish that a deliberate cover-up had occurred.
Second post-mortem ruled out suicide
Mir Raza Ali, a 25-year-old businessman and Institute of Business Administration graduate, went missing on July 28 after leaving his home in Karachi’s PECHS area.
His body was found the following day in bushes in Gulistan-i-Jauhar, with a gunshot wound.
Police initially investigated the death as a possible suicide, citing findings from the first post-mortem and information concerning the victim’s financial circumstances.
The family challenged that conclusion, pointing to signs of violence on the body. Following concerns about the initial medical findings, the body was exhumed on August 8 for a second post-mortem examination.
The subsequent examination found that the fatal firearm injury was consistent with a shot from behind and ruled out suicide. Murder-related and evidence-destruction provisions were subsequently added to the case.
Joint investigation team recommended
The commission recommended forming a joint investigation team (JIT) to conduct a comprehensive and impartial investigation.
According to Geo News, the proposed team would include senior representatives from Sindh Police, the Inter-Services Intelligence, the Intelligence Bureau, Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency.
The commission also recommended a high-level inquiry into the conduct of police officials involved in the initial stages of the investigation. It called for disciplinary action and criminal proceedings where evidence establishes responsibility for misconduct or offences.
The commission warned that significant physical evidence had been compromised, making a thorough, intelligence-led investigation necessary to establish the facts and determine responsibility.
Sindh government moves to implement findings
The provincial government decided to publish the report through the Sindh Home Department and provide a copy to the victim’s family.
The four-member implementation committee comprises Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, Labour Minister Saeed Ghani and the Sindh advocate general.
The commission examined 49 witnesses over 15 hearings before submitting its report to the provincial government on October 15.
The next stage will involve determining how the recommendations are implemented, whether further proceedings are initiated against officials and whether a new investigative team can establish accountability and bring the case to a conclusion.
