Jibran Nasir questions Murtaza Wahab’s role in Mir Raza case

Lawyer Jibran Nasir has questioned Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab’s legal and official position in relation to the Mir Raza case particularly his recent press conference and comments about the authority of a judicial commission to investigate a murder case.

KARACHI: Lawyer Jibran Nasir has questioned Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab’s legal and official position in relation to the Mir Raza case particularly his recent press conference and comments about the authority of a judicial commission to investigate a murder case.

Speaking to Express, Jibran Nasir said that because Murtaza Wahab is himself a barrister and lawyer he should have appeared fully prepared before commenting on a matter involving important legal questions. Nasir specifically challenged Wahab’s claim that a judicial commission could investigate a murder case under a 1969 law.

The lawyer asked what legal provision gives a judicial commission the authority to investigate a murder case. He also questioned Wahab’s experience in handling murder trials and called for greater clarity regarding the legal basis of the commission’s proposed investigation.

Nasir said questions had also been raised in court regarding the commission’s Terms of Reference (TORs). According to him, the family of Mir Raza does not accept the commission’s existing TORs and believes that its powers and scope need to be clearly defined.

The lawyer further alleged that important evidence may have been lost or mishandled during the earlier police investigation. He argued that if the judicial commission is intended to examine the circumstances surrounding Mir Raza’s death, it should also investigate the role and performance of the previous police investigation team.

Nasir acknowledged that the head of the commission is a highly capable judge but questioned whether the same police officials whose investigation has been challenged would be able to properly assist the commission. He demanded that the TORs explicitly authorize the commission to seek assistance from other investigative, intelligence and law-enforcement agencies.

The lawyer also called for a Joint Investigation Team (JIT), noting that questions have reportedly been raised about the medical report prepared by police surgeon Dr Samia. He said the police investigation continues to revolve around a suicide theory, making an independent and comprehensive investigation necessary.

Nasir questioned why the Karachi mayor had entered the debate surrounding the case and said he was prepared to discuss its legal aspects. He maintained that all legal opinions proceedings and decisions concerning the case were being pursued in consultation with Mir Raza’s family.

The controversy highlights growing questions over the scope of the proposed judicial commission the adequacy of the existing investigation and the legal framework governing its authority.