The joint investigation team (JIT) probing the murder of Karachi businessman Mir Raza Ali held its first meeting on Saturday, recording a statement from his father and addressing the family's concerns regarding the case's handling, including the alleged roles of the Ferozabad SHO and the victim's business partners.
The meeting took place at the DIG West office under the chairmanship of DIG West Irfan Baloch. Representatives from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Intelligence Bureau (IB), and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) attended the session.
The victim's family and their legal representatives presented evidence and raised questions about various aspects of the investigation. The JIT also heard the family's concerns regarding the role of individuals close to Mir Raza.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, family lawyer Jibran Nasir stated that the proceedings lasted several hours and all the family's concerns had been placed before the investigation team. He expressed hope that the investigation would now make meaningful progress.
Nasir called for a thorough examination of the roles of Ferozabad SHO Adeel Afzal and Mir Raza's business partners, Ahmed and Abdullah Bharde. He noted that the family has serious questions about the SHO's conduct and wants investigators to determine how Ahmed and others obtained information regarding specific aspects of the case.
Nasir mentioned that while the victim's father recorded his detailed statement, the statements of his mother and sister could not be recorded during Saturday's meeting. He added that DIG Baloch assured the family they would be recalled if further information was required.
The lawyer expressed hope that the JIT would make significant progress over the next two weeks. He also questioned why the recommendations of the judicial commission constituted to examine the case had not yet been implemented.
Nasir stated that the family would write to the Establishment Division and the Sindh Chief Minister on Monday to seek the implementation of those recommendations. Demanding justice, he emphasized that the family wants those responsible for the murder identified and brought to justice, adding that every aspect of the case must be investigated.
Mir Raza, 25, went missing before his body was found in Gulistan-e-Jauhar on July 29. His father, Mir Hussain, subsequently sought the exhumation of the body, which was carried out on August 8.
The case was initially registered at the Ferozabad police station under Section 365 of the Pakistan Penal Code and later amended to include murder and concealment of evidence charges. The family has consistently challenged the initial investigation, leading to the constitution of a judicial commission and, subsequently, the JIT.