Father suspects business partner in Mir Raza murder

The murder investigation of Mir Raza could be heading in a new direction, with his father alleging that a long-time business partner and the partner's brother, an investor in the business, may have information about - or a possible connection to - his son's death.

Father, Mir Hussain, said his son had discussed a dispute with his business partner over investments and financial matters before his death. He identified Ahmed as Raza's business partner and Ahmed's brother, Abdullah, as an investor in the business. He alleged that a dispute had developed between Raza and the two brothers over the pricing of raw materials purchased for desserts prepared at Waffix branches.

According to Hussain, the raw material was supplied through Abdullah's departmental store, and Raza had raised concerns over what he believed was overbilling.

The allegations have added a new dimension to the case. Hussain said Ahmed had been Raza's friend since grade I and that the two had shared a 21-year relationship. However, he claimed that both brothers had cut off contact with the family following his death.

When contacted by The Express Tribune regarding the allegations, Ahmed denied them. Ahmed has since obtained pre-arrest bail from the court. Hussain, however, maintains that his son's business partner may know more about the circumstances surrounding the murder and alleges that potentially significant information has not been fully pursued by investigators.

The questions surrounding the business relationship have also surfaced in correspondence sent to the chief minister by Raza's lawyer, Jibran Nasir. Of the 24 questions raised by Nasir, at least seven concern the possible role of Ahmed and Abdullah and the information they may have provided during the police investigation.

Nasir said the Call Data Record (CDR) showed that Raza's last contact was with Abdullah at 2.23am. He said the statements and information obtained from Abdullah and Ahmed during the investigation could prove significant in establishing the sequence of events leading up to Raza's death.

Hussain had also told police that his son was concerned about alleged financial irregularities at Waffix branches. About a month before his death, he said, Raza had hired an auditor to examine the accounts of all the branches.