A judicial commission investigating the death of Mir Raza Ali summoned his investor, Abid Farooq, who disclosed investments totaling Rs14 million (PKR 1.4 Crore) made in two phases while acknowledging that no written business agreement existed between the parties.
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Farooq, who described himself as an investor involved in the stock exchange, cattle farming and mobile phone imports, told the commission that he is currently investing in the cattle farming business.
During his testimony, Farooq said he had invested a total of Rs14 million in Raza’s business in two phases.
He told the commission that transaction records for the funds were available, but no formal written agreement or contractual documentation had been prepared between the business partners.
When questioned about potential losses in Raza’s business ventures, Farooq said he was not aware of any losses. He also stated that Raza had never told him about experiencing financial pressure.
The commission asked Farooq whether he knew why Raza had allegedly sought Rs30 million (Rs3 crore) before his disappearance.
“I do not know,” Farooq replied, adding that no such conversation had taken place between him and Raza.
Farooq said he and Raza met frequently and had also travelled together to purchase sacrificial animals for Eid-ul-Adha.
The commission also questioned Farooq about why he had not visited Raza’s family home despite having made a substantial investment in the business.
Farooq said he had only met Raza’s family when he appeared to record his statement before police.
Regarding the police investigation, Farooq said he was likely summoned on August 16 to record his statement and provided investigators with details about his investment.
He added that DIG Amir Farooqi questioned him about cryptocurrency, business partner Ahmed and Mir Raza.
Farooq told the commission that police had not collected his WhatsApp chat records with Raza.
He said he was in Madinah when he learned that Raza had gone missing. According to Farooq, Sherry later informed him that Raza’s body had been recovered.
The commission is continuing to examine testimony from Raza’s business associates and other individuals as part of its investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Back on August 06, the lawyer representing the family of young businessman Mir Raza Ali has raised concerns over alleged attempts to alter the composition of the medical board constituted for the exhumation and fresh forensic examination of his body.
In a statement shared on social media, advocate Mohammad Jibran Nasir said the family had received information from “credible sources” suggesting that efforts were being made to change members of the medical board, including the removal of the Police Surgeon Karachi.
