ISLAMABAD: The Sindh High Court has appointed Justice Omar Sial to head a judicial commission examining whether authorities mishandled the death of a 25-year-old Karachi businessman, Mir Raza Ali, according to a notification issued on Monday, in a case that has drawn widespread public criticism of authorities.
Ali, a graduate of the Institute of Business Administration and owner of dessert outlet Wafflix, disappeared on July 28 and was found dead the following day in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar. Police initially treated the death as a suicide, but his family disputed the account and raised concerns about the autopsy and handling of the crime scene.
The case came under renewed scrutiny on Aug. 3 after Karachi Police Surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed identified 14 deficiencies in the initial post-mortem examination. A second examination found a gunshot wound to Ali’s upper back, along with other injuries, prompting further questions over the circumstances of his death.
Lawyer Jibran Nasir, who represents Ali’s family, accused police of mishandling the case and distorting facts, while the Sindh provincial government formed a new investigation team to examine the circumstances surrounding Ali’s death after the second post-mortem.
“With reference to your office letter No. SO(JUDL-II)HD/1-03/2026 dated 22-08-2026 on the subject noted above, I am directed to state that the Hon’ble Chief Justice, keeping in view the constitution of the Commission by the Government of Sindh under Section 3(1) of the Sindh Tribunal of Inquiry Ordinance, 1969, and the settlement of its Terms of Reference by the Government of Sindh, has been pleased to nominate Hon’ble Mr. Justice Omar Sial, the Hon’ble Judge of this Court for presiding over the said Judicial Commission,” the SHC said in its notification.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar said on Sunday the provincial government would seek a judicial probe into the case.
However, Nasir, who represents the deceased’s family, criticized the move on X, saying Ali’s family had not consented to the judicial commission and did not consider one necessary at this stage.
A government official said this month that Lanjar and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui had initially met Ali’s family, who had agreed to a judicial commission but later withdrew their consent.
Ali’s death has sparked protests in Karachi, with demonstrators demanding that the provincial government establish what happened to him and bring those responsible to justice.
The case has also intensified public scrutiny of police handling of serious crimes in Karachi, where concerns over street crime and law enforcement remain widespread.
