KARACHI: Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar has said a special committee formed by the chief minister has begun reviewing recommendations made by the judicial commission investigating the Mir Raza Ali case.
Speaking to ARY News, Lanjar said the committee held its first meeting today, during which the judicial commission’s report was presented. Copies of the report were provided to all members of the subcommittee, he added.
The provincial home minister said police officers would face inquiries in line with the judicial commission’s recommendations, while officers found responsible for negligence and administrative incompetence would be suspended.
He further said a joint investigation team (JIT) would be formed on the judicial commission’s recommendation, provided there were no legal obstacles.
Lanjar said the committee would meet again to decide on the recommendations contained in the report.
Earlier, the judicial commission investigating the death of Mir Raza Ali raised serious questions about the police investigation, the handling of medical and digital evidence, and the initial conclusion that he died by suicide. The commission has recommended a new joint investigation team (JIT) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into all aspects of his death.
The 70-page report, headed by Justice Umar Sial, was submitted to the Sindh chief minister on October 15. The commission held 20 meetings between August 27 and October 7 and recorded statements from 50 witnesses.
According to the report, the police initially declared Mir Raza’s death a suicide on the basis of the preliminary post-mortem report. His family challenged that conclusion, citing marks of violence on his body and other evidence.
The police surgeon identified shortcomings in the initial post-mortem report and recommended another examination. Mir Raza’s body was re-examined on August 8. The final report identified a bullet wound entering from the back as the cause of death.
The commission said it was not appropriate to conclude that the death was a suicide while ignoring contradictions in the medical evidence. It criticised the police for maintaining their initial position despite conflicting medical findings and failing to meet basic investigative requirements.
