Mir Raza Commission Summons First Investigating Officer Shabbir Laghari

KARACHI, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: The judicial commission investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of businessman Mir Raza Ali has summoned the case’s first investigating officer, Inspector Shabbir Laghari, as the panel continues examining police handling, witness testimony and other evidence linked to the case.

The one-member commission, headed by Sindh High Court Justice Omar Sial, issued the direction in its written order covering proceedings held on September 15.

Laghari was directed to appear before the commission at 11am on September 17, according to a separate report on the written order.

The summons represents the latest step in an inquiry that has increasingly focused on how police and medical authorities initially handled the death of the 25-year-old businessman.

Commission Records Statements of Multiple Witnesses

During the September 15 proceedings, the commission recorded statements from Inspector Muhammad Ali, Shahryar Ali, Asad Ali Butt and Head Constable Zeeshan Haider.

The statement of Hassan Tanoli, who is currently in Australia, was recorded through video link.

The commission has been interviewing people connected with Mir Raza’s business as well as police personnel involved at different stages of the case.

Earlier proceedings also included testimony from business partners, employees, police officers, medico-legal officials and others whose names emerged during the inquiry.

Smartwatch Investor List Examined

The commission also examined information reportedly recovered from Mir Raza’s smartwatch.

According to the written order, Ahmed Hassan told the commission that a list of investors obtained from the smartwatch included the name “Ahmed Usman.”

Hassan clarified that Ahmed and Usman were two separate individuals and told the commission that he had also invested in Mir Raza’s business.

The commission further directed that government employee Usman Bozai be served a notice under the prescribed procedure.

These investment-related inquiries form part of the commission’s evidence-gathering process and should not be interpreted as findings of wrongdoing against any individual.

Record of Phone Call Submitted to Commission

Another significant development concerns a phone call allegedly received by Mir Raza’s father.

Lawyer Jibran Nasir, representing the family, submitted material relating to the call before the commission. According to the Tribune’s account of the written order, Nasir said the caller introduced himself as a senior government official.

The counsel said the recording indicated that the caller expressed support for Ferozabad SHO Adil Afzal.

Another report says the caller allegedly introduced himself as a brigadier associated with the Pakistan Army’s V Corps. However, the identity of the caller has not been independently established, making careful attribution essential.

The commission itself noted that some portions of the conversation were not considered appropriate for inclusion in its written order.

SHO Warned Over Campaigning for Support

The commission also warned SHO Adil Afzal over what it described as campaigning in his support.

The warning followed concerns raised during the proceedings about attempts to obtain support for the officer while the commission was examining police conduct.

Separately, daily diary records from Ferozabad and Gulistan-e-Jauhar police stations were submitted before the commission.

The presiding judge noted that SHOs from both police stations had already recorded their statements.

Police Handling Under Scrutiny

Police procedures have become an important part of the commission’s inquiry.

Mir Raza disappeared on July 28, and his body was found the following day in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar area with a gunshot wound. His family has maintained that he was murdered and has disputed early suggestions that his death could have been a suicide.

The case was initially registered at Ferozabad police station under kidnapping-related provisions following his disappearance.

After a second autopsy in August, the investigation was transferred to Zaman Town police station, while murder charges were added to the FIR.

The commission has since been examining possible shortcomings in the initial investigation, handling of forensic material, medico-legal procedures and police response to the family.

Police Surgeon Previously Raised Threat Allegation

The inquiry has also heard significant testimony from Karachi Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed.

Dr Syed told the commission that she had faced “threats” after disputing findings from Mir Raza’s first post-mortem examination. The allegation was made during her testimony and remains an attributed claim rather than an independently established finding.

The commission has also questioned officials over the handling and testing of samples collected from Mir Raza’s body.

Those proceedings have expanded the inquiry beyond the immediate circumstances of the death to include whether investigative and medico-legal procedures were properly followed.

Business Connections Also Under Examination

Mir Raza was associated with the dessert business Wafflix, and the commission has called several individuals linked to his commercial activities.

Earlier testimony included statements from business partners and a vendor, while the commission has sought details about investments, payments, partnership agreements and information appearing on Mir Raza’s electronic devices.

The commission previously summoned business associate Ahsan Anis Shamsi, Wafflix manager Sherry, accountant Muhammad Umair Khan and several other individuals.

Again, being summoned by the commission does not itself indicate criminal responsibility. The witnesses are being questioned as part of the broader fact-finding process.

Why First IO’s Testimony Matters

The summons to Shabbir Laghari is significant because the commission is examining the earliest stages of the investigation.

His testimony could help establish what investigative steps were taken after the case was registered, what evidence was available to police at that stage and how the initial investigation was conducted.

However, the commission has not yet issued final findings assigning responsibility for Mir Raza’s death or determining whether particular officials committed negligence or misconduct.

The proceedings remain an ongoing judicial inquiry.

The most firmly established latest development is that the commission has summoned the first investigating officer, recorded additional witness testimony, obtained police diary records and continued examining business and evidentiary material connected with Mir Raza’s death