Mir Raza Case: Commission Tells Business Partner to Answer Family’s Questions

KARACHI: The judicial commission investigating the Mir Raza case has advised the young businessman’s business partner Ahmed to meet the deceased’s family and respond to their questions if he has information or matters he has not yet disclosed.

Justice Umar Sial made the remarks during proceedings as the commission questioned the handling of the case and the role of the former investigation officer Shabbir Laghari.

Expressing anger over Laghari’s performance, Justice Umar Sial said the former investigation officer’s role was not visible from the post-mortem process through the collection of evidence.

The judge remarked that Laghari appeared to have remained at the police station while signing documents prepared by other officials and questioned whether he was attempting to protect fellow officers.

The commission observed that the police investigation had been handled poorly and that although unsolved cases can occur anywhere in the world, families of victims do not ordinarily face such serious concerns over the conduct of an investigation.

The commission advised Mir Raza’s business partner Ahmed that if he had significant undisclosed information, he should meet the family and answer their questions.

He was also advised to submit his responses in writing through an affidavit.

The commission indicated that the written statement could become part of the public record, allowing the family and other parties to examine the information provided.

Speaking to the media, Mir Raza’s father’s lawyer Jibran Nasir said that out of 33 witnesses, statements of 23 were recorded by police officers other than the investigation officer.

According to Nasir, the investigation officer acknowledged this point before the commission.

The lawyer further alleged that the newly formed investigation team was intended to protect fellow police officials rather than independently investigate the case.

The commission is continuing to examine the investigation process, witness statements and the conduct of officials involved in the Mir Raza case.