Mir Raza’s father raises new questions over son’s murder probe

The father of businessman Mir Raza Ali has raised fresh concerns about the investigation into his son’s death.

Speaking to the media on Monday, Mir Hassan claimed that his son’s business partner went missing after being questioned by police.

He said police had questioned the business partner once. The man was allegedly not seen again after the questioning.

Hassan said the family had not been informed about the investigation involving employees of the guest house in Gulistan-e-Johar. Mir Raza’s body was found near the guest house.

“We have not been told what investigations were conducted with the employees,” he said.

The victim’s father also questioned why CCTV footage from the guest house had not been made public.

The latest concerns have emerged as investigators continue to review the circumstances surrounding Mir Raza’s death.

The case took a new turn after the businessman’s body was exhumed for a second post-mortem examination.

The second medical examination found a firearm injury and several wounds that had occurred before death. It also reported signs of internal bleeding.

According to the findings, a bullet entered the upper right side of Mir Raza’s back and exited through the left side of his chest.

The bullet fractured his sixth rib and caused internal bleeding. The report also documented injuries to different parts of his head, face, neck and chest.

Following the medical findings, police added Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code to the case. The section relates to murder.

The original FIR had been registered under Section 365, which concerns kidnapping.

Mir Raza, 25, was allegedly abducted from the PECHS area. His body was later found in bushes near a wedding hall in Gulistan-e-Johar.

Police had earlier suspected that he may have been tortured before being shot.

The case initially faced uncertainty over whether Mir Raza had been murdered or had died by suicide. His family, however, consistently rejected the suicide theory.

The second post-mortem has strengthened the family’s claim that Mir Raza was killed.

Questions had also been raised about the first post-mortem report.

Karachi Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed had pointed out several issues in the initial examination. She had questioned why the body was not X-rayed and why hand swabs were not collected for gunshot residue testing.

She had also raised concerns over the scientific measurement and photography of firearm injuries.

Questions were further raised about the documentation of the bullet’s path and the examination of the entry and exit wounds.

Following these developments, police dissolved the previous investigation team.

A new team was formed under the leadership of DIG Crime and Investigation Amir Farooqi.

The new team was tasked with conducting a fresh investigation based on the latest medical findings.

Investigators were also expected to revisit the crime scene. They were directed to re-question the victim’s family and other relevant individuals.

The team was also expected to examine forensic, technical, physical and circumstantial evidence.

Mir Raza’s family has repeatedly criticised the handling of the case. They have maintained that he was murdered and demanded that those responsible be identified and brought to justice.

The family’s lawyer, Jibran Nasir, had also alleged that investigators pressured the family to accept a suicide theory. He called for an independent and impartial investigation.

The Sindh government has meanwhile decided to establish a judicial commission headed by a Sindh High Court judge.

The commission is intended to oversee a transparent and impartial investigation into Mir Raza’s death.