Sindh forms JIT to probe Mir Raza Ali’s killing
The Sindh government has begun implementing a judicial commission’s recommendations on the killing of young Karachi entrepreneur Mir Raza Ali, forming a joint investigation team (JIT) and ordering departmental action against police officers and personnel named in the report.
The JIT will be headed by DIG Irfan Ali Baloch and include senior representatives of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Pakistan Rangers Sindh and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
The provincial government has written to the relevant institutions seeking nominations for the team.
The Sindh Home Department has also directed the provincial police chief to implement the commission’s findings and recommendations.
It has ordered the removal and suspension of several police officials, departmental inquiries and further training for certain personnel.
These include SHO Adeel Afzal, whose removal, suspension and departmental inquiry have been ordered; Inspector Shabbir Laghari and Inspector Ghaus, whose suspensions and inquiries have been directed; and SSP Samiullah Soomro, for whom further training has been ordered.
An inquiry by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has also been ordered into SHO Kamran Qureshi’s alleged role in destroying evidence.
The Home Department has separately directed that the commission’s observations concerning police officials Amir Farooqi and Farrukh Lanjar be conveyed to the relevant deputy inspectors general.
A separate committee comprising Additional Inspector General of the Counter Terrorism Department Zulfiqar Ali Larak will examine the roles and performance of police officers and personnel named in the judicial commission’s report, with DIG Irfan Ali Baloch assisting it.
Its terms of reference include reviewing the officials’ professional competence and overall policing performance, investigating Inspector Ghaus’s role in the burning of the crime scene, and submitting findings and recommendations to the Inspector General of police.
The provincial government has also asked the federal interior ministry to nominate an FIA officer of grade 20 or above to head a proposed additional committee for further investigation.
DIG Irfan Ali Baloch and DIG Naeem Ahmed Sheikh are proposed members.
The Home Department has written to the health secretary regarding the commission’s observations about Dr Osama Sheikh, who conducted Mir Raza’s first post-mortem examination.
The recommendations include removing him from his post and requiring him to undergo two years of further training.
The department has also ordered commendation certificates for Constable Zeeshan Arif.