Sindh Police Chief admits lapses in Mir Raza murder case

Speaking at a ceremony organised by the Sindh Bar Council, the provincial police chief described the killing of Mir Raza as deeply regrettable and said weaknesses

KARACHI: Sindh Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho has acknowledged shortcomings in the handling of the Mir Raza murder case, assuring that the investigation is now being pursued transparently in light of fresh medico-legal findings.

Speaking at a ceremony organised by the Sindh Bar Council, the provincial police chief described the killing of Mir Raza as deeply regrettable and said weaknesses had occurred during the handling of the case.

He said a new investigation team had been directed to conduct an independent and transparent probe based on the latest medico-legal report. The IG added that the authorities would take action in accordance with the law if any wrongdoing or negligence by officials was established.

Asked whether the family had demanded action against members of the previous investigation team, Odho said the police would take whatever action was legally required. He declined to comment further, saying the investigation was still under way.

Addressing lawyers, the IG emphasised the importance of cooperation between the police and legal community, describing both as key components of the criminal justice system. He said police and lawyers needed to work together to strengthen the justice system and resolve disputes through dialogue rather than confrontation.

Odho claimed that disciplinary action had been taken against around 27,000 police personnel over the past seven months and urged the Sindh Bar Council to make full use of its legal authority.

He said Sindh has around 160,000 police personnel, of whom approximately 132,000 are currently deployed on duty. According to the IG, the overall law and order situation in Karachi has improved, with reported crime declining by around 14 per cent.

The remarks come as investigators face increasing scrutiny over the circumstances surrounding Mir Raza’s death. Authorities have now been directed to examine the case afresh, with the latest medico-legal evidence expected to play a key role in determining what went wrong during the initial investigation.