Mir Raza commission awaits extension

Proceedings adjourned till Oct 2; cabinet to decide fate of judicial panel

KARACHI:

The Judicial Commission probing the murder of Wafflix dessert brand owner Mir Raza Ali has put its proceedings on hold until October 2 after its term expired, as the Sindh cabinet is expected to decide on October 1 whether to extend its mandate.

The commission, headed by Justice Umar Sial, said in a written order that its tenure had expired a day earlier. It had sought an extension until October 15, with the provincial government's focal person informing the commission that chief minister had approved the summary and forwarded it to the cabinet for a decision.

The commission said it was appropriate to defer proceedings until October 2. If the cabinet does not approve the extension, no further witnesses will be summoned and the commission will prepare and submit its report on the basis of statements already recorded.

If the tenure is extended, fresh notices will be issued to witnesses and questionnaires will be sent to three senior police officers.

Meanwhile, counsel for Mir Raza's family, Advocate Jibran Nasir, said the family had not levelled allegations against the police during the commission's proceedings so far, but questioned the progress of the investigation and the failure to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing.

Speaking to the media outside the Sindh High Court, Nasir said the commission was scheduled to record statements of investigating officer Siraj Lashari and CPL officer Kashif. He said senior police officers were also supposed to receive questionnaires.

He said the commission had informed the relevant authorities on September 2 about the need for an extension and that statements of several people whose names had not previously appeared in the investigation had subsequently been recorded.

Nasir questioned the delay in securing the extension, saying the commission had been constituted within a day and a similar process could have been followed for extending its tenure. He said he would submit the family's questions to the commission by 4pm and make them public afterward.

The lawyer also questioned the proposed constitution of a super medical board, arguing that the commission should determine the cause of death under its terms of reference. He said it remained unclear whether the process would involve another exhumation or further medical examination.

Nasir raised questions about CCTV footage from the area where Mir Raza's body was recovered and whether footage from relevant locations had been preserved and examined. He also questioned whether certain individuals and locations linked to the case had been properly investigated.

He said senior police officers should appear before the commission instead of merely responding through questionnaires.

Nasir also referred to statements by doctors and questioned aspects of the medical investigation, saying any facts that had been concealed should be brought before the commission.

He said the commission had itself expressed concern over transparency and maintained that all relevant officials and witnesses should appear before the panel to answer questions about the investigation.