Muhammad Ahmed, a close friend and business partner of the late Mir Raza Ali, appeared before a judicial commission on Thursday to provide testimony regarding their business and Raza’s disappearance. Ahmed revealed that he and his brother visited Raza’s residence after he went missing, searching his room alongside family members in an attempt to find clues.
The commission, led by Justice Omar Sial and held at the Sindh High Court, extensively questioned Ahmed about the business partnership, including the involvement of a third partner in their restaurant venture and the demand for payments from Raza’s family during his disappearance.
Ahmed stated that he and Raza were school friends who launched a registered partnership business in 2020, each holding equal shares. While Raza managed the Bahadurabad branch, Ahmed oversaw operations in Nazimabad. He also mentioned maintaining a separate business. An employee was hired to handle accounts and administrative tasks.
The commission raised concerns about the timing of tax payments to the Sindh Revenue Board, noting that despite starting in 2020, the business only made tax payments in 2024 after receiving a notice from the authorities. Ahmed confirmed this explanation.
Describing the search at Raza’s home, Ahmed said he arrived around 8am on July 28 with his elder brother. Several individuals were already present, and with family consent, they collectively searched Raza’s room. Ahmed mentioned finding a cigarette packet and disclosed that Raza used to keep hashish there. When asked why he mentioned hashish, Ahmed explained he was committed to full transparency before the commission.
The commission questioned Ahmed on whether it was appropriate for him to search the room instead of the family, to which he replied that everyone was distressed and he aimed to assist them.
Further scrutiny was directed at Ahmed’s request to a woman to send an email demanding payment during Raza’s disappearance. Ahmed justified this by stating that payments were routinely made on Tuesdays and that Raza had previously traveled to Islamabad without informing others. However, the commission found this reasoning unconvincing but recorded his response nonetheless.
Ahmed revealed that his last communication with Raza was via WhatsApp at approximately 4am. The commission also probed the existence of a third partner in the business, noting a signed agreement with such a partner. Ahmed acknowledged the agreement but had not disclosed this previously. The commission pressed for details on payments made to the third partner, intensifying examination of the business’s financial arrangements.
Regarding security matters, Ahmed stated that an employee collected weapons from security guards after shifts. Upon learning of Raza’s disappearance, Ahmed checked CCTV footage around 9:30am, which showed Raza leaving with a pistol. He reported this to the Ferozabad police but was questioned on why he did not inform Raza’s family first.
Ahmed also shared that Raza had expressed concerns about his father’s financial troubles, including mortgaging the family home. Raza appeared worried, and someone had contacted him from a police station previously.
In a significant development, Bykea driver Ehsanullah testified about giving Raza a ride on the day of his disappearance. He detailed receiving the request at 3:57pm, picking Raza up from Khalid Bin Walid Road around 4:06pm, and following directions that included driving on the wrong side of the road as requested by Raza. The ride ended in Gulistan-e-Jauhar Block 2 at about 4:28pm, where Raza paid Rs1,000 and refused change.
Ehsanullah described the severe impact of the case on his life, including eviction from his home, job termination, and current unemployment, adding that he was staying at a police station. He also mentioned the death of a brother who was a driver.
The commission also heard from DSP Arshad Afridi, who denied telling Raza’s family that he had committed suicide, clarifying that neither he nor the SHO of Ferozabad made such claims. Afridi recalled the family showing videos related to the body but did not specify their exact content.
