A judicial commission inquiring into the murder of young businessman Mir Raza Ali has criticized the police investigation, questioning the work of the case’s first investigating officer.
During proceedings, Justice Omar Sial told former investigating officer Shabeer Laghari that the investigation appeared to have been little more than a formality.
“You did nothing. You should be removed from your job,” Justice Sial was reported to have said. “A child has died, and you people are playing games.”
The commission questioned why no bullet or holster had been recovered from the crime scene and raised concerns about the handling and preservation of evidence.
Shabeer Laghari told the commission that he had visited the crime scene at around noon on 30 July 2026, along with Sub-Inspector Arshad Javed. He said the station house officer (SHO) was already present in the area.
The commission questioned whether Laghari was attempting to protect the SHO, Adeel Afzal, and asked how investigators had identified the location where the victim’s body was found.
It also asked whether the SHO’s statement had been formally recorded after he allegedly provided information about the location.
The commission questioned Adeel Afzal’s presence in another police station’s jurisdiction during the night and cautioned Shabeer Laghari that any negligence on his part could ultimately become the responsibility of the investigating officer.
Officer Laghari said the SHO had been obtaining CCTV footage and that securing the crime scene was the responsibility of Gulistan-e-Johar police.
The commission rejected that explanation, pointing out that the case had been registered at Laghari’s police station and that he was the investigating officer.
It questioned the legal basis for Gulistan-e-Johar police handling aspects of the investigation and asked what evidentiary value the CCTV footage collected by the police would have in court.
“You are the investigating officer. Tell us which judge would accept this evidence,” the commission asked.
The handling of post-mortem samples also came under scrutiny. Shabeer Laghari said he had received the samples on 30 July 2026, and kept them in his personal possession.
The commission questioned the legal basis for an investigating officer keeping case property personally.
The commission also asked how a receipt for a pistol had been obtained when the weapon itself had not been recovered.
The police officer replied that a security guard, Mazhar, had shown him a company letter and receipt relating to the pistol.
He also said CCTV footage had been provided to SHO Adeel Afzal by Ahmed Bharde.
The commission expressed serious reservations about the investigation and adjourned further proceedings until 21 September, 2026.
