PFSA draws blank on Mir Raza’s devices as probe turns to money trail

The development comes as a Judicial Commission headed by Sindh High Court Justice Omar Sial continues to examine the police investigation

KARACHI: The investigation into the death of 25-year-old entrepreneur Mir Raza Ali has encountered a significant forensic hurdle after the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) reportedly failed to retrieve meaningful data from his locked iPhone and Apple Watch.

Sources familiar with the investigation told Minute Mirror that PFSA informed the five-member investigation committee that it was unable to gain access to the deceased’s iPhone because of its security protections. Although the Apple Watch had earlier produced limited notifications and screenshots during preliminary examination, the subsequent laboratory analysis in Lahore reportedly failed to uncover evidence considered significant to the investigation.

The devices are now expected to be returned to the investigative committee in Karachi as the judicial and technical inquiries continue.

The forensic setback has shifted greater attention towards other potential sources of evidence, including financial records, witness statements and digital transactions. Investigators are reportedly awaiting information from cryptocurrency exchange Binance, with the interim challan noting that official server-side responses and comprehensive transaction data are still pending.

The development comes as a Judicial Commission headed by Sindh High Court Justice Omar Sial continues to examine the police investigation and alleged shortcomings in the handling of evidence.

On September 7, the commission issued a notice to investigation head DIG Amir Farooqi concerning allegations that important records had not been placed before the inquiry. Sources said the commission questioned discrepancies in a statement provided by a friend of Raza, particularly regarding an alleged meeting with a man identified as Ahmed Raja on Shahrah-e-Faisal on July 27.

According to the material under examination, the meeting allegedly involved an investment proposal involving between Rs70 million and Rs80 million. The circumstances surrounding the meeting and the information allegedly omitted from the initial statement are now part of the commission’s scrutiny.

Following the controversy, the Additional Home Secretary assured the commission that no relevant records had been withheld. The commission subsequently required certified, video-recorded statements of all 41 witnesses as part of the investigation process.

The inquiry has also raised questions about the initial police theory surrounding Raza’s death. Following an exhumation, a second post-mortem was conducted, with the findings prompting renewed scrutiny of the original medical examination.

Sources said Karachi Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed identified several deficiencies in the initial autopsy. The medical officer who conducted the first examination, Dr Osama Sheikh, was subsequently removed from his position and issued a seven-day show-cause notice.

Jibran Nasir, representing the family, has alleged that Dr Osama was summoned to the Chief Minister’s House and pressured to support a particular version of events. Dr Osama has denied the allegation before the commission.

Investigators are meanwhile examining possible financial disputes connected with Raza’s dessert business, Waffix, alongside his reported cryptocurrency dealings.

Raza’s father, Mir Hussain, has alleged disagreements involving business partner Ahmed Bhardey and his brother Abdullah over billing and the pricing and supply of raw materials to Waffix franchises. Both Ahmed and Abdullah have denied involvement in any wrongdoing.

The defence has instead maintained that Raza had been experiencing significant financial pressure following cryptocurrency trading losses between December 2025 and April 2026, with alleged liabilities estimated at between Rs50 million and Rs80 million.

Ahmed also told the commission that he had accessed the Apple Watch while looking for travel-related documents and encountered notifications concerning more than Rs40 million in pending payments. Investigators are examining whether those financial references are connected to the circumstances surrounding Raza’s death.

The handling of the alleged crime scene has emerged as another major issue before the commission. Family counsel Jibran Nasir has accused several police station house officers of failing to properly secure the scene and has raised allegations concerning the handling of ballistic evidence. The officers have denied wrongdoing, while the commission has warned of serious consequences if misconduct is established.

The commission has also directed authorities to protect ride-hailing driver Ahsanullah, who reportedly transported Raza shortly before his death. The inquiry has treated the driver as a cooperating witness rather than a suspect and expressed concern over alleged pressure faced by him following his cooperation with investigators.

Separately, police sealed an unregistered guest house in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, where several people were taken into custody for questioning as investigators attempted to establish the movements and interactions surrounding the case.

The Judicial Commission has also established a public communication channel to receive information from potential witnesses and members of the public. Authorities have announced a reward for credible information that could assist the investigation.

Karachi Police have submitted an interim challan identifying 53 witnesses, but the inquiry has reportedly questioned why the document does not identify definitive suspects at this stage.

The commission has summoned DIG Amir Farooqi for personal appearance and directed investigators to pursue the case through a transparent and comprehensive inquiry.

The allegations and competing claims remain under judicial examination, while Ahmed Bhardey and Abdullah Bhardey continue to deny allegations of wrongdoing.