Mir Raza Ali Murder Probe: Police Seek WhatsApp Data for Key Evidence

KARACHI: The investigation into the murder of Mir Raza Ali has taken a new shot after police attained a mobile SIM registered in his name. Investigators are now likely to use the SIM to access his WhatsApp account and improve backed-up data that could provide significant traces about his ultimate epochs.

The SIM was issued by the mobile operator following a police request and was later transferred to Mir Raza’s mother after biometric verification and completion of the required formalities. Investigators hope the WhatsApp data will help identify important contacts, conversations and other information that could assist in the case.

In the meantime, the inspecting team has reassembled a timeline of Mir Raza’s concluding hours. As per investigator, he expended much of the day trying to assemble reserves and locked loans.

At 5:54pm on July 27, Mir Raza reportedly met Ahmed Raja on Shahrah-e-Faisal, where they discoursed an investment of around Rs7-8 million. At 7:05pm, he get a call from a bank notifying him that a Rs10 million loan applied for in his sister’s name had been permitted.

At 8:23pm, Farooq Mahmood reportedly told him that he could not proceed with an investment. Later, at 11:50pm, Mir Raza had dinner with his friend Abdul Razzaq at Ghaffar Kabab House.

Around midnight, he reportedly contacted Sarim Syed for an emergency loan of Rs30 million, saying the money was urgently needed. Investigators also found a prayer on his smartwatch related to financial independence and repayment of debts.

Mir Raza deactivated his Instagram account at 12:23am, while his Facebook, LinkedIn and Snapchat accounts were reportedly deactivated around 2:42am. At about 3:10am, his fiancée tried calling and messaging him but received no response.

Investigators said Mir Raza transmitted money to his parents’ accounts at 3:18am. At 3:42am, he reportedly went to his shop and took a security guard’s pistol before returning home.

At 4:09am, he left home in an online taxi. Around 4:22am, he allegedly switched off his phone and threw it from the vehicle. The taxi dropped him near the reported location at 4:35am, after which CCTV footage showed him walking alone towards the area.

The last available footage reportedly placed him around 100 to 150 metres from where his body was later found. Investigators are examining digital evidence and the reconstructed timeline for further leads