Who had business dealings with Mir Raza? JIT widens murder probe

KARACHI: A joint investigation team (JIT) probing the murder of Mir Raza has decided to widen its inquiry into his business partner, Ahmed and examine the deceased’s financial transactions and business dealings, investigation sources said on Friday.

A day earlier, the JIT probing the murder of young businessman had sealed a food outlet in North Nazimabad belonging to his business partner, Ahmed, and seized a licenced pistol and business records.

The latest decision was taken at the JIT’s second meeting, which lasted four hours at the office of the deputy inspector general (DIG) West in Karachi. The meeting was chaired by DIG West Irfan Baloch and attended by officers from intelligence agencies and law enforcement departments.

The team sought further information from Mir Raza’s family and recorded statements from several police officials associated with the case, including Ferozabad Sub-Inspector of Investigation Shabbir Laghari, Crime Investigation Agency officer Ghaus Alam, investigating officer DSP Siraj Lashari, Ferozabad Station House Officer Adeel Afzal and former Gulistan-e-Jauhar SHO Kamran Qureshi.

The JIT also recorded statements from Ahmed Bharde and his brother, sources said, adding that investigators had decided to continue questioning the business partner and broaden the scope of the inquiry.

The Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), which is assisting the investigation, briefed the team on its findings. The committee will continue to provide support to the JIT, sources said.

Investigators have also begun examining Mir Raza’s social media accounts and financial and business records. The team has decided to summon, in phases, people who had financial or business dealings with him and record their statements.

The JIT will review all previous investigations into the case, while the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has been directed to re-examine its technical aspects and prepare a report, according to the sources.

The team is also expected to record fresh statements from several members of the previous investigation team at its next meeting as it seeks to revisit earlier findings and expand the probe.