Mir Raza murder case: Sindh govt asks agencies, Sindh Rangers to nominate JIT members

Sindh government has requested the ISI, IB, NCCIA, and Sindh Rangers to nominate members for a joint investigation team (JIT) to investigate the murder of 25-year-old businessman Mir Raza Ali, whose body was found in Gulistan-i-Jauhar after he went missing on July 28. The judicial panel, headed by Sindh High Court judge Justice Omar Sial, recommended forming the JIT in its 62-page report submitted on October 15, stating it as a "most viable path" to address reputational damage to the Sindh government.

The commission had also recommended DIG Irfan Baloch to lead the team. The Sindh Home Minister announced the formation of the JIT under DIG Baloch's command on Thursday, requesting the agencies to nominate senior officers within seven days. The Home Department specifically asked the NCCIA to provide a senior official with expertise in digital forensics due to the investigation's focus on mobile phones, Apple Watch, iCloud, social media, and cryptocurrency records.

The judicial panel criticized police officers, including SHO Adeel Afzal and Sub-inspector Shabbir Leghari, for criminal negligence in the investigation. They also recommended disciplinary actions against them and recommended Dr Osama Sheikh, the Medico-Legal Officer, be suspended and undergo retraining. The Sindh government has also requested the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to head a high-level committee to investigate any police officials found culpable in the case.