Sharjeel Memon moves NCCIA over alleged smear campaign linked to Mir Raza murder

KARACHI: Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has filed a formal complaint with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), alleging a coordinated social media campaign aimed at tarnishing his reputation and that of his son, Rawal Memon, in connection with the alleged murder of Mir Raza Ali.

Mir Raza Ali went missing on July 28, 2026, after leaving his home, and his body was recovered the following day near Gulistan-e-Jauhar. The case was initially portrayed as a suicide linked to financial difficulties, debt and monetary disputes. However, Raza’s family rejected the explanation and expressed distrust in the investigation, prompting a court to order his exhumation at Tariq Road graveyard under the supervision of a medical board. A subsequent post-mortem found that he had been shot in the back and had sustained signs of torture.

The complaint, filed by Naqvi Law Associates on August 9 and addressed to the Deputy Director of the Cyber Crime Reporting Centre at the NCCIA’s Karachi zone office, alleges that unidentified individuals have been circulating false and malicious content targeting Memon and his son.

It identifies four Facebook pages and accounts, “Muhajir Community”, “Khan Zada”, part of a group called “Altafi Lushkar”, “Karachi Beauty” and “Karachi Stories”, as being involved in the alleged campaign. Screenshots of the posts have been submitted as evidence.

According to the complaint, identical claims have appeared across multiple social media accounts, which Memon says indicates a coordinated campaign rather than isolated activity. The filing alleges that some of the accounts were previously associated with Jamaat-e-Islami supporters, while similar content is now being circulated by accounts allegedly linked to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

The complaint makes these claims as allegations and does not establish that either political group was responsible for the campaign.

Memon has asked the NCCIA to conduct a forensic investigation of the accounts and identify the individuals operating them. He has sought access to IP logs, device information and SIM registration records, as well as an investigation into the accounts’ contacts, funding sources and the origins of the material being circulated.

The complaint also asks authorities to examine whether fake identities, automated bot networks or proxy operators were used to distribute the content.

Memon has rejected several claims circulating online, describing them as baseless. These include allegations concerning ownership of a guest house, Rawal Memon’s purported departure for London, the involvement of a bodyguard, changes to the medical board and alleged interference in the police investigation.

According to the complaint, the allegations are contrary to the facts and have damaged Memon’s reputation, credibility and personal security.

The filing invokes several provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), including Section 20 concerning offences against dignity, Section 24 relating to cyber-stalking and Section 26-A, introduced through the PECA Amendment Act 2025, concerning the dissemination of false information. It also cites Sections 30 and 51, which establish the NCCIA’s jurisdiction over cybercrime offences.

Memon has requested an immediate and independent inquiry, identification of all individuals and entities allegedly involved, and preservation of relevant data and logs held by social media platforms.

He has further sought IP-log analysis, tracing of possible funding and coordination networks, and registration of a first information report (FIR) against anyone found responsible under PECA and other applicable laws. Memon has assured the agency of his full cooperation with the investigation.