KARACHI – The investigation into the mysterious death of young businessman Mir Raza witnessed major development after the newly formed judicial commission was given just 30 days to uncover the facts and submit its report.

The commission, headed by sitting Sindh High Court (SHC) Justice Omar Sial, will examine the legal and constitutional aspects of the investigation and determine the circumstances surrounding Mir Raza’s death, with transparency listed as a key objective. But as the commission begins its work, Mir Raza’s family has challenged its formation before the SHC, warning that the move at this stage could adversely affect the criminal case.

Sindh government approached the province’s top court seeking a judicial commission to investigate the case. Following the court’s decision to constitute the panel, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab urged the family to cooperate with the inquiry.

“Justice will ultimately be delivered by the court,” Wahab said, questioning the family’s objection to a commission headed by a serving SHC judge. He called for cooperation so that the case could move towards a conclusion.

Mir Raza, an IBA graduate and businessman, went missing on July 28 before his body was discovered the following day in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar. His father has consistently rejected the suicide theory and maintained that his son was murdered.

The post-mortem findings intensified questions surrounding the death. The medical examination found a gunshot wound to Mir Raza’s back, along with multiple signs of physical violence. The report recorded black marks on his body and injuries to his feet. Blood stains were also found on tissues in the lower part of his body.

Doctors further identified a fracture and an injury measuring around 12 centimetres on his right thigh. A deep injury and fracture were also detected in the jaw area. These findings have become a major point of concern as authorities attempt to establish exactly what happened before Mir Raza’s death.

The family has asked the SHC to order the formation of a joint investigation team (JIT), arguing that the police investigation has failed to reach a conclusion. Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon heard the petition in his chamber and issued notices to the respondents, directing them to respond by August 31.

The petition names 19 individuals and institutions, including several Sindh government departments. Doctors Usama and Samia, who conducted the post-mortem examination, have also been named, along with members of the investigation team.

Family lawyer Jibran Nasir argued that the government’s decision to establish the commission came at a sensitive stage of the case. He said the family learned about the move through media reports rather than through official communication. Nasir also argued that findings of a judicial commission could not be converted into a criminal charge sheet or challan for presentation before a trial court.

The family raised particularly serious questions about the handling of evidence.

With the judicial commission now under a 30-day deadline and the family’s petition pending before the SHC, the Mir Raza Ali case has entered a critical phase. The competing demands for a judicial inquiry and a JIT have added another layer to an already controversial investigation, while the family continues to seek answers over the circumstances surrounding the young businessman’s death.