The Sindh High Court (SHC) has dismissed a petition seeking the formation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to investigate the death of businessman Mir Raza Ali in Karachi.
A two-member SHC bench, headed by Justice Adnanul Karim and comprising Justice Muhammad Jaffer Raza, announced its decision on Wednesday. The court had reserved its verdict earlier in the week after hearing arguments from the family.
Mir Raza Ali, an IBA graduate and businessman, was found dead in Gulistan-e-Jauhar on July 29, a day after he went missing. His father has maintained that his son was murdered and has rejected claims that the death was a suicide.
In its seven-page written order, the court acknowledged the family’s painful loss but said emotional considerations could not override the requirements of law. The petition was therefore disposed of.
The SHC noted that the investigating officer had assured the court that every possible effort would be made to complete the investigation. The officer was directed to use all available legal resources and could seek assistance from other investigation agencies if necessary.
The court ordered that the investigation into the Mir Raza case be completed in an impartial, fair and swift manner. It also stated that the petitioner could pursue all available legal remedies to ensure a transparent investigation.
Family Plans to Challenge Verdict
Following the decision, lawyer Jibran Nasir, who represents Mir Raza’s family, said they would challenge the SHC order. He argued that the family had not asked the court to conduct the investigation itself but had sought judicial review of alleged investigative failures.
Nasir maintained that documented evidence showed serious investigative shortcomings and said judicial oversight was different from directly conducting an investigation.
The dispute follows the formation of a judicial commission by the SHC chief justice on the Sindh government’s request. Justice Omar Sial was appointed to head the commission, which was tasked with examining the investigation and preparing a report within 30 days.
The commission will review the legal and constitutional aspects of the case and assess the facts while focusing on transparency in the investigation.
