The Sindh government has constituted a joint investigation team to probe the death of entrepreneur Mir Raza Ali in Karachi. The team was set up on instructions from a judicial commission, according to a notification.
DIG West Zone Irfan Baloch has been named convener of the team. Representatives of the Inter-Services Intelligence, the Intelligence Bureau, Pakistan Rangers and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) will also sit on the JIT.
Evidence to be gathered and the JIT’s mandate
The JIT will work on a case registered at the Ferozabad police station in connection with Ali’s death. Investigators have been told to collect physical, forensic and digital evidence.
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Records linked to mobile phones, an Apple Watch, iCloud, social media and Binance accounts will also be examined. The team must identify those responsible, prepare a report and submit a challan to the relevant court.
The Sindh government has asked all concerned institutions to give the team full cooperation. The JIT must carry out the investigation in accordance with the law.
NCCIA replaces its nominee after family objection
The NCCIA earlier nominated Deputy Director Shehzad Akbar as its representative on the JIT after objections were raised to the officer it had first put forward. The agency informed the Sindh Home Department of the nomination in a letter.
The NCCIA will help the team analyse mobile phone data, social media records and cryptocurrency-related information. Its representative will also support the JIT in examining electronic records.
The change followed a request from Mir Hussain, the father of the slain entrepreneur, who asked for the agency’s representative on the team to be replaced.
