Mir Raza murder probe takes new turn

The judicial commission investigating the death of Wafflix owner Mir Raza Ali visited several locations connected to the case and directed investigators to produce a key witness who was the first person to discover the young entrepreneur’s body.

Justice Omar Sial, who heads the commission, inspected the suspected crime scene and other locations during the visit. The commission also examined a guest house that had been identified as suspicious by Raza’s family and inspected areas around the premises.

The commission later visited the location in Gulistan-e-Johar where Raza’s body was found. Employees of a nearby nursery were summoned and questioned as part of the inquiry.

During the inspection, police officials informed the commission that the person who initially discovered Raza’s body had travelled to Punjab. Justice Sial expressed displeasure over the absence of the witness and ordered investigators to bring him before the commission.

The commission chairman warned that the entire investigation team could face arrest if the witness was not produced.

Raza, a 25-year-old entrepreneur and owner of dessert brand Wafflix, went missing from Karachi’s PECHS area on July 28. His body was recovered the following day from bushes near a wedding hall in Gulistan-e-Johar.

The death was initially treated as a possible suicide. However, a second post-mortem conducted after his exhumation revealed a firearm entry wound, several injuries sustained before death and signs of internal bleeding. The findings subsequently shifted the investigation towards murder.

Raza’s family and their lawyer accompanied the judicial commission during its visit. Family members briefed the commission about the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the body and other details they had observed.

The commission has also scheduled further proceedings for Wednesday, October 7. CPLC representative Kashif Iftikhar and investigating officer DSP Siraj Lashari have been directed to record their statements at 11am.

Karachi-based journalists Babar Saleem and Saulat Jaffri have also been summoned. They have been asked to present their findings concerning the case, including their analysis of CCTV footage that was used to trace the movements of vehicles around the crime scene.

The commission is examining evidence, witness accounts and investigative records to determine the circumstances surrounding Raza’s death and assess whether any investigative shortcomings contributed to the case.

During an earlier hearing, questionnaires were sent to senior police officials involved in the investigation, including AIG Karachi Azad Khan, DIG Amir Farooqi and DIG Farukh Lanjhar. The officials were asked to respond to concerns raised by Raza’s family.

The investigation has faced questions over the handling of evidence and the initial post-mortem. The first examination was criticised for several shortcomings, including the absence of an X-ray, failure to collect hand swabs for gunshot-residue testing and the lack of a chemical examination of suspected gunpowder marks.

The family later raised concerns about the handling of CCTV footage and other evidence and sought the formation of a joint investigation team. The Sindh High Court did not approve the request for a JIT but directed authorities to ensure that the investigation was fair, impartial and conducted without unnecessary delay.

Police told a Senate committee in September that statements from 78 people had been recorded but investigators had not yet found evidence directly connecting any individual to Raza’s alleged murder. Authorities have continued examining medical, forensic, chemical and digital evidence.

The Sindh government formed the judicial commission in August to investigate the circumstances of Raza’s death, the progress and conduct of the police investigation, and any possible negligence or concealment of evidence.