Mir Raza case: Govt defers formation of judicial commission at parents’ request: Lanjar

Karachi: Sindh Interior Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar has pushed back the formation of a judicial commission to probe the Mir Raza case, responding to a request from the victim’s parents. Initially intending to create the commission for transparency and to assure the family, the government now holds off as the family has grown confident in a newly-formed investigation unit.

The Sindh interior minister clarified that the police-led team would now take charge of the probe, adhering to legal procedures. The change came after lawyer Jibran Nasir informed that there is currently no exigency for a judicial commission, as the family has written the authorities to permit the police team to pursue the inquiry under the law.

This shift in stance marks a significant change in the circumstances surrounding the proposed judicial inquiry. The government had initially proposed a judicial commission, driven by concerns over the case and the need for an impartial and transparent investigation. However, as the parents placed their trust in the new team, the government chose to defer the formation of the commission.

The latest development is that the judicial commission will not be established currently. Instead, the new investigation team will continue the probe. The decision is subject to further developments, with the potential for reconsideration if the family or authorities raise concerns later. Nasir noted that the parents have formally communicated that a judicial commission is not currently necessary, requesting the police team to carry out its inquiry.

Despite this deferment, the Sindh government emphasizes that transparency remains a priority in the investigation. Lanjar reiterated that the consideration of a judicial inquiry was aimed at ensuring transparency and satisfying the affected family. The government, with the family’s newfound confidence in the new team, now allows the police-led investigation to proceed.

The case remains under investigation, with further developments expected as the investigators examine the evidence and record pertinent statements. The decision to delay the judicial commission shifts the responsibility onto the new investigation team to conduct a credible, transparent, and legally sound inquiry. Authorities will now face scrutiny over the investigation progress and their ability to address the case's concerns.

For Mir Raza’s family, the immediate priority is allowing the police team to conclude its investigation, as the government’s decision means the case will now proceed through the existing investigative mechanism instead of a separate judicial commission.