The Sindh cabinet has formally decided to launch a judicial inquiry into the death of young Karachi businessman Mir Raza. The provincial government has written a letter to the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court requesting the inquiry, marking a significant escalation in the case.
The decision comes as police continue to make progress in their investigation. Sources close to the inquiry said investigators have obtained a mobile phone SIM registered in the name of the deceased. After completing biometric verification and other necessary documentation, the SIM was transferred and reissued in the name of Mir Raza’s mother.
Police Seek WhatsApp Data to Advance Probe
The primary purpose of the SIM transfer is to gain access to Mir Raza’s WhatsApp account and retrieve chat backup data. Investigators believe this digital evidence could help advance the investigation significantly.
Police have already recovered some WhatsApp messages sent by Mir Raza to close friends. In those messages, he reportedly mentioned severe financial and domestic difficulties he was facing.
Witness Statements and Timeline Reconstruction
Investigators have recorded statements from a security guard at a residential building near the scene, as well as the prayer leader, muezzin, and members of the committee of a nearby mosque.
The investigation committee has also prepared a detailed timeline covering Mir Raza’s activities during the final 12 hours before his death. The timeline indicates that he remained engaged in efforts to secure investments and loans until the last hours of his life.
Final Hours Reveal Financial Strain
According to police, at around 5:45pm on July 27, Mir Raza met a person on Shahrah-e-Faisal and discussed an investment of Rs70 million to Rs80 million. However, at around 8:15pm, the person called him and declined to proceed with the investment.
At around 7pm, a bank informed Mir Raza that a loan of Rs100 million had been approved in his sister’s name. Later, after further meetings on Tipu Sultan Road and a late-night meal with a friend at a kebab house, Mir Raza continued contacting various people in connection with his financial matters.
The judicial inquiry requested by the Sindh government is expected to provide an independent examination of the circumstances surrounding Mir Raza’s death, while the police investigation continues to focus on his financial dealings and personal communications in the hours leading up to the incident.
