Home minister apologises to Mir Raza probe commission

Justice Sial says govt lawyer's intervention was inappropriate; Lanjar assures panel of full cooperation, no interfer

KARACHI:

Sindh Home Minister Zia Ul Hasan Lanjar on Thursday tendered an unconditional apology before the Judicial Commission probing the Mir Raza Ali murder case after its chairman, Justice Umar Sial, expressed serious reservations over the earlier intervention of a government lawyer in the panel's proceedings.

During the last hearing, the commission had summoned the home minister after strongly reprimanding Sindh Advocate General (AG) Jawad Dero for interrupting proceedings and objecting to the victim's family lawyer, Jibran Nasir, asking questions to a key witness.

On Thursday, Justice Sial said the intervention had been inappropriate and that he had felt "very humiliated" by the incident. The judge said maintaining the family's confidence in the commission was a major challenge, adding that he had previously told the family and others that he would not meet any government representative.

"We were told that the commission would work transparently," Justice Sial said, adding that the reputation of the Sindh government was also at stake. He said the chief justice had appointed him as commission chairman following a request from the government. "The intervention of the advocate general that day was not right at all. I felt very humiliated," he remarked.

Justice Sial said the commission had been constituted with the stated objective of conducting a transparent investigation and that Lanjar's appearance was intended to ascertain whether the government remained committed to that objective.

Lanjar apologised to the commission and assured it of the provincial government's full cooperation. "I apologise to all of you unconditionally," he said, adding that the government was responsible for ensuring security and justice for the people of Sindh.

The home minister said the government had complete confidence in Justice Sial and would provide the commission with all assistance and evidence required for the inquiry. "We do not want to interfere in the commission's proceedings. It should conduct the proceedings in whatever manner it considers appropriate," Lanjar said.

He added that police were responsible for taking the case to its logical conclusion and that the government would abide by whatever decision the commission reached. Justice Sial thanked the minister for his assurances and said the commission did not want anyone to believe that the Sindh government was opposed to the investigation.

Commission summons officials

After a brief recess, the commission resumed its proceedings and considered the response submitted by Dr Usama to a show-cause notice. Justice Sial expressed dissatisfaction with the response and summoned Dr Usama in person at the next hearing. It also announced that the statement of Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed Tariq would be recorded.