The judicial commission probing the Mir Raza Ali case has rejected a request from his family to summon senior police officers for personal appearance before the commission.
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The commission, headed by Sindh High Court (SHC) Justice Omar Sial, issued a written order regarding the proceedings held the previous day.
According to the written order, the statements of the Secretary Health, Director General Health and SSP Dr Samiullah Soomro were recorded during the proceedings.
Mir Raza Ali’s family had requested the commission to summon Additional Inspector General (AIG), DIG Amir Farooqui and DIG Farrukh Lanjar for questioning.
However, the commission noted that it had already informed the family on September 17 that senior police officers would not be summoned for personal appearance.
Instead, the family has been allowed to submit its questions for the officers in writing by September 26. The questions will then be forwarded to the respective officers for their responses.
The commission said no new material had emerged during the proceedings that warranted a change in its earlier decision.
It further observed that changing its directions without sufficient grounds could adversely affect public confidence in the proceedings.
The request for the personal appearance of the senior police officers was therefore rejected.
The commission also recorded observations about the performance of SSP Samiullah Soomro, stating that it was not satisfied with his handling of the matter.
However, the commission appreciated Soomro for acknowledging shortcomings and responding to the questions raised during the proceedings.
According to the order, the SSP provided responses rather than avoiding or attempting to conceal the issues raised by the commission.
Separately, the Sindh High Court has imposed restrictions on photojournalism and unauthorised recording within its premises.
The SHC issued an official circular prohibiting photography and video recording inside courtrooms, corridors and waiting areas.
However, a designated area has been allocated for journalists to conduct photography and video recording.
Media personnel have been directed not to film or take photographs elsewhere inside the court building. According to the circular, legal action may be taken against individuals who violate the restrictions. Mobile phones and recording equipment may also be confiscated from those found breaching the rules.
A day earlier, judicial commission investigating the murder of young entrepreneur Mir Raza Ali has strongly questioned SSP Special Investigation Unit Samiullah Soomro over alleged lapses in the investigation, including the burning of the crime scene and the handling of key evidence.
The one-member commission, headed by Sindh High Court (SHC) Justice Omar Sial, held a hearing on Thursday during which SSP Samiullah Soomro, who headed the first investigation team, appeared before the commission.
