Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar tendered an unconditional apology before the judicial commission investigating the death of businessman Mir Raza Ali over the conduct of Advocate General Javad Dero during the previous hearing.
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The judicial commission, headed by Sindh High Court Justice Omar Sial, had summoned Lanjar after proceedings were suspended during Tuesday’s hearing following an intervention by the advocate general.
During Thursday’s proceedings, Justice Sial told Lanjar that he had written to the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, who had appointed him to the commission.
The judge said Mir Raza’s family had very little confidence in the investigation and criticised the advocate general’s conduct during the previous hearing, saying it had “added fuel to the fire.”
Justice Sial described the attitude of the advocate general as disrespectful and said Lanjar had been summoned to help restore public confidence in the investigation.
The commission also questioned whether the Sindh government’s position was aligned with its efforts to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding Mir Raza’s death.
Lanjar assured the commission that the provincial government was committed to peace and justice and had constituted the commission to restore public confidence in the investigation.
He said the commission’s terms of reference allowed it to summon any person and assured the members that the government would provide all necessary assistance and evidence.
“We do not want to interfere with the commission’s proceedings,” Lanjar said, adding that the commission could conduct its proceedings in whatever manner it considered appropriate.
He also assured the commission that representatives of the Home Department would remain available to assist and that the deceased’s family would be provided with whatever support was required.
The commission said it wanted Javad Dero to continue serving as advocate general, describing him as a “very capable” law officer. It also said it did not want the impression to emerge that the Sindh government was unwilling to pursue the investigation.
Mir Raza family seeks reappearance of business partner Ahmed
Lawyer Jibran Nasir, representing Mir Raza’s family, told the commission that allegations had been levelled against the commission by Raza’s business partner Ahmed.
Nasir said Ahmed’s lawyer had also made certain revelations and that he would submit an application seeking Ahmed’s reappearance before the commission so that he could explain anything he wished to place on record.
Commission summons police and medical officials
The commission also expressed dissatisfaction with the written response submitted by Dr Usama to a show-cause notice and summoned him to appear in person on September 15.
It summoned Sachal SHO Adeel Afzal, Head Muharrir Zeeshan, Police Surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed Tariq and medical board chairman Professor Naseem for September 14.
As Professor Naseem is currently abroad, the commission directed authorities to arrange his appearance through video link.
The commission will resume proceedings on September 14.
Mir Raza Ali, an IBA graduate and businessman, was found dead in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar area a day after he went missing on July 28.
His father has consistently maintained that his son was murdered and rejected suggestions that the death was a suicide case.
The judicial commission is continuing to examine witnesses, police officials, medical evidence and other material to establish the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death.
