Judicial commission to probe Mir Raza killing

The Sindh government has decided to constitute a judicial commission headed by a Sindh High Court (SHC) judge to oversee a transparent and impartial investigation into the killing of Wafflix's owner Mir Raza Ali, in the latest major development in a case that has come under intense scrutiny following his exhumation and a second post-mortem.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar announced the decision on Sunday after visiting Mir Raza's residence with Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab and senior police officials to offer condolences to his family.

Lanjar said the provincial government would write to the chief justice of the SHC today, requesting the formation of the judicial commission on the recommendation of Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.

The home minister said a new police investigation team headed by DIG Amir Farooqi had also been constituted, with three SSPs as members. The team would remain in close contact with Mir Raza's family and keep his parents informed about progress in the case.

Lanjar said the government wanted the case to reach its logical conclusion and assured the family that any police officer trusted by them could also be included in the investigation. "If there is even one per cent doubt in any case, the investigation should be 100 per cent," he said, adding that even the smallest piece of evidence could prove crucial in resolving a major case.

A significant aspect of the proposed judicial inquiry will be the examination of the two medical reports prepared in connection with Mir Raza's death. Lanjar said the judicial commission would review both reports, while the question of any contradictions between them would ultimately be decided by the commission or the court.

The minister also acknowledged that the initial crime scene had not been preserved in the required manner, but said the investigation was continuing and its direction could change as new evidence emerged.

Lanjar stressed that neither the opinion of the inspector general of police nor that of any other officer could be considered final while the investigation was still under way.

He cautioned that continued public debate over the case could increase controversy and said the final determination should be left to the judicial commission.

"The government wants to bring the facts to light while remaining impartial," Lanjar said, adding that all requirements of justice would be fulfilled and no one responsible would be given any concession. The judicial commission would work with and oversee the new investigation team to ensure that the probe was completed transparently.

Wahab said a four-hour meeting had been held under the chairmanship of the CM, during which all aspects of Mir Raza Ali's death and the ongoing investigation were reviewed in detail.

Lanjar and Wahab assured the family that they would be provided complete justice and would not be left alone in their pursuit of answers.

The decision comes after police added a murder charge to the FIR following preliminary findings from the post-mortem conducted after Mir Raza's exhumation, marking a major turn in the case that was initially registered as kidnapping.

Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code, relating to murder, was added to the FIR registered at Ferozabad police station under Section 365, pertaining to kidnapping, after police received the preliminary post-mortem findings on Saturday.