The Sindh government has decided to form a judicial commission to investigate the death of young businessman Mir Raza Ali.
Mir Raza was found dead in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar area after going missing on July 28.
The provincial government will request the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court to constitute a judicial commission to conduct an independent and transparent inquiry into the case.
Ali, an IBA graduate, was found dead a day after he went missing. His father has repeatedly claimed that his son was murdered and has rejected the possibility that he died by suicide.
The proposed commission will assess whether the investigation was conducted fairly and in accordance with the law. It will also examine investigative leads and evidence that may not have been adequately pursued.
It will have the authority to determine whether any police official, medico-legal officer or other government functionary was involved in negligence, failure to perform official duties, professional misconduct, suppression or tampering of evidence, or any other unlawful action, omission or cover-up.
Where necessary, the commission may recommend additional investigation, forensic examination and legal or departmental proceedings.
The commission will have powers available under the Sindh Tribunals of Inquiry Ordinance, 1969, including powers similar to those of a civil court. These include summoning witnesses, recording testimony under oath and ordering the production of relevant documents and records.
All government departments and agencies have been directed to provide full assistance to the commission, while the Home Department will facilitate its secretariat.
The commission is expected to submit its findings and recommendations to the Sindh government within 30 days of its formation. The period may be extended if additional time is deemed necessary to ensure a thorough and impartial inquiry.
The provincial government expressed hope that the judicial probe would address the family’s concerns, ensure accountability where required and strengthen public confidence in the rule of law.
Meanwhile, Ali’s family has opposed the proposed judicial commission and called for the formation of a joint investigation team (JIT). Family lawyer Jibran Nasir said they would approach the Sindh High Court on Monday morning to challenge the government’s decision to establish the judicial commission.
Nasir said he had already written to the Sindh chief minister regarding concerns over the handling of the investigation and maintained that a JIT should be constituted to probe the circumstances surrounding Ali’s death.
Earlier, Sindh police issued its first formal statement on the case, saying the investigation team was continuing its work and reviewing medical reports, available evidence and the findings of the earlier investigation team.
A police spokesperson said some aspects of the reports needed further clarification and that relevant institutions had been approached for additional information.
Police said clarification of unresolved points in the chemical analysis reports could prove significant in advancing the investigation. The department maintained that the probe was being pursued using available technical, digital, forensic and other credible evidence.
