The registrar of the judicial commission investigating the murder of young entrepreneur Mir Raza in Karachi said the final report could reach the Sindh government by October 15. He said the report is being prepared around the clock, with staff working through the weekend and late into the nights.
Separately, the commission’s head, Justice Umar Sial, will begin hearing cases in Hyderabad, where he will sit at the circuit bench until November 7.
DIG Amir Farooqi’s answers to the commission
Testimony given by DIG Amir Farooqi, who heads the investigation team, has come to light. Farooqi was asked 19 questions about the probe and told the commission he had found no lapses in the earlier inquiry that could have affected its direction.
When asked whether he knew that Shabbir Laghari had personally recorded only 10 of 33 statements, Farooqi said those statements formed part of the case file. He also said all evidence had been secured in line with the law, though he conceded early mistakes in preserving the body and protecting the scene.
Questions over the crime scene and its evidence
Farooqi said he was content with the steps taken to secure the site, but added that the holster, lighter, cigarette packet and bullet casing should have been collected on the first day. He described the ground as uneven, with bushes, grass and garbage, and said the spot where a fire was set lay 15 feet from where the body was found.
He told the panel that the holster, casing, personal belongings, the body’s position on a slope and the grass found in one hand were all relevant. The amount of blood on the surface, he added, depended on how the body lay.
Cryptocurrency records and awaited financial data
The commission asked whether investigators had considered extortion, forced money collection, blackmail or threats. Farooqi said the investigation was weighing several possible scenarios.
Information on Mir Raza’s cryptocurrency trading and accounts had been obtained from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), Farooqi said. Further cryptocurrency and financial details were still awaited from the NCCIA and the State Bank of Pakistan. He said all records received would be added to the file and that findings would be placed before the court.
Scrutiny of police conduct and early media leaks
The commission also questioned the conduct and contacts of one individual, saying the matter required detailed questioning. Farooqi denied having spoken about going easy on the additional police surgeon.
He said investigators had tried to keep digital evidence confidential, yet several details surfaced in the media before the inquiry began. Farooqi added that the conduct of police personnel and other relevant people is under examination, and that strict action would follow if any violation of the law is found.
