Mir Raza’s family demands release of judicial commission report

The family of slain Karachi businessman Mir Raza has demanded that the Sindh government make public a judicial commission’s report into his death.

Mir Raza’s parents and their counsel, Jibran Nasir, made the demand while speaking to the media outside the Sindh High Court in Karachi on Monday.

They also called for a joint investigation team (JIT) to probe the case, accusing police of negligence and alleging that they had wrongly treated Raza’s death as a suicide.

Nasir said the judicial commission had submitted its report to the Sindh government on October 15, but the provincial cabinet would decide whether to make it public and share it with the family.

The report was not included in the agenda for the Sindh cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday, despite an earlier announcement by the chief minister’s spokesperson that it would be presented to the cabinet.

Nasir said the family had sought a JIT from the outset, arguing that the commission’s proceedings had highlighted police negligence and shortcomings.

He said police continued to maintain that Raza had died by suicide despite evidence that, according to the family, suggested otherwise.

He added that the family had yet to receive justice, even after two and a half months.

Nasir said the family had cooperated with the commission and disclosed that DIG Aamir Farooqi, head of the investigation team, had written a letter seeking the formation of a super medical board.

Urging the government to ensure a transparent investigation rather than side with the police, Nasir said the report should be made public if the authorities had nothing to hide.

He added that the family had received no response to a letter sent to the Sindh chief minister and warned that they would approach the court if the report was not provided to them.

Mir Raza’s father, Mir Hussain, also urged the government to release the report immediately and take strict legal action over alleged police negligence.

He said the family’s concerns could not be addressed until the report and the facts of the case were made public.