Key Takeaways
- Sindh government has formed a joint investigation team (JIT) to reinvestigate the murder of young businessman Mir Raza Ali.
- A separate committee will examine alleged police negligence and possible cover-up attempts.
- The JIT will be headed by Sindh Police Deputy Inspector General Irfan Baloch.
The Sindh government has ordered a thorough investigation into the murder of young businessman Mir Raza Ali, forming a joint investigation team (JIT) to reinvestigate the case.
The JIT will be headed by Sindh Police Deputy Inspector General Irfan Baloch and include representatives from the Rangers, federal intelligence agencies, and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
A separate committee will also be established to examine alleged police negligence and possible attempts to cover up the case, with a Grade-20 Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officer to be included.
The JIT will be authorised to submit the case challan before the court, with the necessary legal formalities being completed, according to Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar.
Mir Raza Ali, 25, went missing from Karachi’s PECHS area on July 28, 2026, and his body, bearing signs of torture and gunshot wounds, was found in Gulistan-e-Jauhar two days later.
Following the family’s concerns, the body was exhumed on August 8 for a second post-mortem examination on court orders, and the investigation was transferred to the Zaman Town police station.
The Sindh government later established a judicial commission through the Sindh High Court, which submitted its report to the government on October 15.
The provincial cabinet made the report public by publishing it on the official website, prompting the formation of the JIT and the separate committee.
The JIT and the separate committee will work to ensure that all aspects of the case are thoroughly examined and that justice is served.
The provincial government has also formed a committee headed by DIG Zulfiqar Larak to review the police investigation system, crime scene unit, and other relevant departments and recommend reforms in line with the judicial commission’s findings.
The Home Department has directed the provincial police chief to convey the commission’s observations about senior officers Amir Farooqi and Farrukh Lanjar to the relevant deputy inspectors general.
It has also ordered the removal and suspension of SHO Adeel Afzal and departmental proceedings against him, while directing that SSP Samiullah Soomro receive further professional training.
An FIA inquiry has been ordered into allegations of evidence tampering involving SHO Kamran Qureshi, and inspectors Shabbir Laghari and Ghaus have also been ordered suspended, with departmental investigations to follow.
The Home Department has written to the health secretary seeking the immediate suspension of Dr Osama Sheikh over alleged shortcomings in post-mortem and medico-legal procedures, along with arrangements for two years of further training.
The department has also recommended commendation certificates for Zeeshan and Constable Arif for their performance.
