The investigation into the death of young businessman Mir Raza Ali Khan has gained momentum as the probe team met with Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed Tariq to scrutinize evidence recovered during his exhumation and to revisit questions about the initial post-mortem examination.
Chaired by investigation team head DIG Amir Farooqi, the meeting took place at his office and lasted approximately 90 minutes. Dr Summaiya provided a detailed briefing on the evidence found during the exhumation and the results of the subsequent post-mortem analysis.
The investigators also discussed potential oversights in the first post-mortem, exploring aspects they believe were not adequately addressed. The police surgeon further shared insights from the post-mortem and laboratory reports.
This development reflects a growing scrutiny of the original case handling, prompted by findings from a second post-mortem that raised new questions about the circumstances surrounding Raza’s death.
Mir Raza had reportedly gone missing on July 28 and was found deceased the next day near Gulistan-e-Jauhar in Karachi. Initially, the case was considered a suicide, a theory rejected by his family who demanded a thorough reinvestigation.
In response to the family’s concerns, Raza’s body was exhumed and examined by a medical board led by Dr Summaiya. This follow-up examination revealed multiple injuries, including a gunshot wound from behind, intensifying doubts about the original investigation.
Investigators have also analyzed forensic evidence gathered during the renewed probe. Chemical tests on Raza’s shirt detected traces of hydrochloric acid and gunshot residue, while blood samples contained components indicative of sedative or anaesthetic substances.
In a significant development, Dr Osama, who performed the initial post-mortem, was questioned by the probe team two days prior to the meeting with Dr Summaiya. The interrogation lasted around four hours, during which his mobile phone was also seized for further examination.
This questioning aims to determine whether any crucial evidence was missed during the first medical examination. The new investigation team was formed after the second post-mortem cast doubt on the initial handling of the case.
Following the fresh examination and emergence of contradictory evidence, the team formally launched proceedings to reassess the circumstances of Raza’s death. This renewed probe comes amid persistent pressure from his family, who have consistently challenged the earlier findings.
Represented by lawyer Jibran Nasir, the family recently appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah for direct oversight of the investigation and accountability for alleged official lapses.
The investigation team has also revisited the site where Raza’s body was found and interviewed individuals connected to the discovery, aiming to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to his death.
The recent meeting with Dr Summaiya, together with the earlier interrogation of the first post-mortem doctor, underscores the investigators’ focus on thoroughly examining medical and forensic evidence to clarify how Mir Raza died and whether critical details were overlooked initially.
