Mir Raza Probe Report To Reach Sindh Govt On Thursday

A judicial commission investigating the murder of young entrepreneur Mir Raza has completed its report after more than a month of proceedings in Karachi. The report is expected to be submitted to the Sindh government on Thursday, October 15, marking a key development in a case that has drawn public attention and scrutiny of the investigation process.

According to commission sources, the report will be handed over to the provincial authorities at 10:00am. The commission has also summoned the secretary of home affairs for Thursday, while the registrar of the commission is expected to deliver the report to the home secretary.

The commission is headed by Justice Umar Sial, who is also scheduled to begin hearing cases in Hyderabad. He will continue hearings at the Hyderabad circuit bench until November 7, even as the Mir Raza inquiry moves into the stage where its findings are formally placed before the Sindh government.

The case has already raised questions about how the initial investigation was handled. Earlier details from the commission showed that DIG Amir Farooqi, who headed the investigation team, was asked 19 questions about the probe. In his responses, he said no shortcomings had been found in the earlier investigation that could have affected the case.

Farooqi told the commission that evidence had been taken into custody in accordance with the law. However, he acknowledged irregularities at the initial stage in relation to preservation of the body and securing the crime scene. He said he remained satisfied with the steps later taken to secure the site, while adding that some items should ideally have been recovered on the first day.

The items discussed before the commission included a holster, lighter, cigarette packet and bullet casing. Farooqi described the crime scene as uneven, with bushes, grass and garbage present at the site. He said the place where a fire was set was around 15 feet away from where the body was found.

The commission also examined whether investigators had looked into possible extortion, forced collection of money, blackmail or threats. Farooqi said the investigation was continuing while keeping possible scenarios in view, and that information about Mir Raza’s cryptocurrency trading and accounts had been obtained from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency.

Further details related to cryptocurrency and financial matters are still awaited from the cybercrime agency and the State Bank of Pakistan. Farooqi said all records received would be made part of the investigation file, and the findings based on those details would be presented before the court.

The commission also reviewed the conduct of police personnel and other relevant individuals connected with the case. Farooqi said strict action would be taken if anyone was found to have violated the law, while also noting that investigators had tried to keep digital evidence confidential despite several details appearing in the media before the probe formally began.