Mir Raza Case: Judicial Commission raises questions as lawyers seek answers

The investigation into the death of Karachi youth Mir Raza Ali Khan continues to raise questions, with lawyers and witnesses presenting new details before the Judicial Commission examining the case.

The investigation into the death of Karachi youth Mir Raza Ali Khan continues to raise questions, with lawyers and witnesses presenting new details before the Judicial Commission examining the case.

Mir Raza’s parents’ lawyer, Jibran Nasir, said the commission’s latest decision had raised more questions rather than providing answers. Speaking to the media in Karachi, Nasir said his team had filed an application on August 24, but several issues remained unresolved. He questioned why a memo regarding Mir Raza’s smartwatch was not prepared why family members were not made witnesses and why samples collected from the body were allegedly not submitted for six days.

Nasir also claimed that the decision did not properly examine important documents related to the case.

During the commission’s proceedings Mir Raza’s business partner Ahmed and vendor Abdullah also recorded their statements. The commission questioned Abdullah about the search of Mir Raza’s room and vehicle following his disappearance.

Abdullah told the commission that he entered Mir Raza’s room after obtaining permission from his mother and that Mir Raza’s mother and sister were present. He denied conducting a search. He said he had been deeply concerned about Mir Raza and had last spoken to him at around 2:30am on July 28.

The commission also questioned Abdullah about financial dealings with Mir Raza. Abdullah said Mir Raza owed him Rs7.5 million, explaining that he had provided the money for digital trading. The commission questioned why such a private financial transaction existed between a vendor and Mir Raza.

Abdullah also denied demanding Rs22,000 from Mir Raza’s family, saying he would not make such a demand during their difficult circumstances. He further said he had been detained for 36 hours and explained that his phone had been switched off for a period after his last conversation with Mir Raza.

Lawyer Khalid Mumtaz, representing Abdullah and Ahmed, later told reporters that Mir Raza had allegedly informed Abdullah days before his disappearance that his father had “created a problem.” Mumtaz also claimed that Mir Raza had been repaying a Rs45 million debt owed by his father.

He questioned why Mir Raza’s father did not contact his son between July 29 and 31 and said investigators had requested the father’s phone but had not received it.

Mir Raza disappeared from PECHS on July 28 after leaving home in an online taxi at 4:09am. His body was recovered two days later in Gulistan-e-Johar with a gunshot wound to the chest. His social media accounts had reportedly been deactivated a day before his body was found.

Concerns were also raised over the initial post-mortem report, which reportedly documented injuries including fractures and wounds to his ribs, jaw, face, nose and right thigh. Following a court order, his body was exhumed on August 8 for a second post-mortem and reburied the same day.

The Judicial Commission has summoned Gulistan-e-Johar SHO Kamran Qureshi and head clerk Zeeshan for its next hearing, with proceedings adjourned until September 7.