The judicial commission investigating the death of Mir Raza held its third hearing at the Sindh High Court on Thursday, questioning his business partners, an online taxi driver and police officials about the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death.
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Raza’s father, sister and business associates attended the proceedings, while several police officers were also summoned to record their statements before the commission.
The commission, headed by Sindh High Court Justice Omar Sial, first questioned Raza’s business partner Muhammad Ahmed about his relationship with the deceased and their business dealings.
Business Partner Describes Relationship With Raza
Ahmed told the commission that he and Raza had known each other since first grade. They later attended college together and started a business in 2020.
He said they operated two branches and that the business was performing well. According to Ahmed, both he and Raza would withdraw Rs5,000, while they also supported each other financially whenever necessary.
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Ahmed said he visited Raza’s home on July 28 in his father’s black Honda Civic. When he arrived, family members were reviewing CCTV footage, and he joined them in checking the recordings.
He said he entered Raza’s room along with his brother, Razzaq, Haisam, his sister and Raza’s mother.
According to Ahmed, an Apple Watch belonging to Raza was later charged and unlocked by Alishbah after Razzaq suggested that it could contain useful information.
Ahmed denied instructing Alishbah to unlock the watch, saying he had left at the time to pick up a friend.
He also denied smoking cigarettes after the commission questioned him about a cigarette packet allegedly found in Raza’s room.
Commission Questions Ahmed Over Financial Payments
During the hearing, Justice Sial questioned Ahmed over his focus on business payments while his close friend was missing.
The commission expressed concern over why Ahmed had asked Alishbah to contact a private food delivery company regarding payments following Raza’s disappearance.
Ahmed replied that the company made payments every Tuesday and that he had asked Alishbah to contact it regarding the matter.
The commission also questioned Ahmed about a Rs4.5 million investment allegedly provided by Muhammad Ehsan Anees Shamsi.
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Ahmed initially named several business partners but was challenged after a document presented before the commission showed that Shamsi held a 30% share in the business.
Ahmed said Shamsi had provided Rs4.5 million in cash and that Raza had taken the money home.
Justice Sial questioned why Ahmed had been concerned about a comparatively small business payment while apparently not taking immediate action regarding the much larger investment.
Ahmed maintained that he had allowed Raza to take the money because of their friendship.
Raza Allegedly Facing Financial Pressure
During questioning, Ahmed said Raza had been under financial pressure because of debts allegedly owed by his father.
He claimed Raza had told him that his father had pledged house and vehicle documents against loans and that several people, including a person identified as Noor Khan, were pressuring the family for repayment.
Ahmed also told the commission that Raza had mentioned issues involving a missing container and the sale of jewellery by his mother.
He further said Raza was involved in cryptocurrency trading and had been communicating with Razzaq about it.
Commission Questions Missing Pistol
Ahmed also told the commission that he had been informed about a guard’s pistol going missing from one of the businesses.
According to his statement, the guard contacted him about the missing weapon. Ahmed then contacted another person, while the branch manager went to retrieve CCTV footage.
The commission questioned Ahmed over why he had not immediately informed the police or Raza’s family about the missing pistol.
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Ahmed said he later handed the digital video recorder (DVR) to the SHO of Ferozabad Police Station, explaining that the investigating officer was unavailable at the time.
Justice Sial also questioned Ahmed about whether he had selected particular portions of the CCTV footage before handing it over to investigators.
The commission continued questioning witnesses regarding the events surrounding Raza’s disappearance, his financial affairs, the missing weapon and the handling of CCTV evidence.
