Sindh Extends Mir Raza Judicial Commission’s Term to October 15
KARACHI: The Sindh cabinet on Thursday extended the tenure of the judicial commission investigating the death of young businessman Mir Raza Ali, giving it until October 15 to complete its work.
The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. The commission is headed by Sindh High Court’s Justice Omar Sial.
Why the extension was needed
The commission’s tenure expired on September 27, and it had sought more time to finish the inquiry. On September 28, Additional Home Secretary Javed Ahmed Abro informed the commission that a summary seeking an extension until October 15 had been sent to the provincial cabinet.
The cabinet was told the commission has already conducted extensive proceedings and recorded statements from dozens of witnesses, but needs additional time to complete the investigation and finalise its recommendations.
What the commission is examining
The commission is investigating the circumstances of Raza’s death in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar area and whether the police investigation was impartial and lawful.
It is also tasked with determining whether any police, medico-legal or other officials were negligent, committed professional misconduct, suppressed or manipulated evidence, or were involved in any unlawful act or cover-up. Its recommendations may call for further investigation, forensic analysis or departmental and legal action.
The case
Raza, an IBA graduate and businessman, was found dead a day after he went missing on July 28. His father has consistently maintained that his son was murdered and has rejected suggestions that the death was suicide.
The case has drawn sustained public attention in Karachi, with the family earlier demanding a joint investigation team instead of a judicial commission. A petition on that demand is also before the Sindh High Court, where petitioners have alleged the crime scene was not secured promptly and a suicide narrative was advanced too early. The commission’s extended term will now run alongside those parallel proceedings.
Frequently asked questions
Until when has the commission’s term been extended?
The Sindh cabinet extended the judicial commission’s tenure until October 15.
Who heads the commission?
Justice Omar Sial of the Sindh High Court heads the judicial commission.
What happened to Mir Raza Ali?
The IBA graduate and businessman was found dead in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar a day after going missing on July 28. His family maintains he was murdered.
