The Sindh government has asked four agencies to name officers for a new Joint Investigation Team (JIT) in the Mir Raza Ali murder case. The letters, dated 23 October 2026, ask the ISI, the Intelligence Bureau (IB), the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and Sindh Rangers to send names within seven days, according to Dawn. Here is what is known about the team, the judicial commission’s findings and what comes next.
What the Sindh Government Has Done
- On Thursday, 22 October, the Sindh Home Minister announced the JIT would be formed under West DIG Irfan Baloch. A summary was sent to the chief minister, according to Dawn.
- Letters dated 23 October ask the ISI, IB, NCCIA and Sindh Rangers to nominate officers of at least BS-18 rank within seven days, so the team can start work.
- The NCCIA was asked for a digital forensics expert. Dawn says the probe involves phones, an Apple Watch, iCloud, social media and Binance cryptocurrency records.
The Case in Brief
Mir Raza Ali, a 25-year-old business owner, went missing on 28 July 2026 after leaving his home in PECHS, Karachi. Dawn reports that his body, with a gunshot wound, was found in bushes in Gulistan-i-Jauhar the next day. His family has been demanding a JIT since the early days of the case.
What the Judicial Commission Found
A one-member commission headed by Sindh High Court Justice Omar Sial gave the government a 62-page report on 15 October. Dawn and Minute Mirror report these findings:
- The police investigation was an “epic failure” and “failed in its most basic duty: to establish the truth.”
- An active cover-up in the early stages “cannot be conclusively ruled out,” but the commission said it lacked investigative powers.
- The death should be treated as murder, not suicide, according to Minute Mirror. Police first treated it as suicide and later as murder, which the commission said badly damaged public trust.
- The suicide theory relied on a few unverified text messages and selected videos, and possible blackmail or coercion was not properly investigated.
- Police reportedly collected CCTV footage only from the road Mir Raza travelled, even though about 52 cameras covered at least nine possible routes.
- The commission pointed to differences between the first and second post-mortems, and said the bullet path and wound features did not fit suicide.
Minute Mirror reports that the commission recorded statements from 50 witnesses over more than 20 sessions between 27 August and 7 October.
Action Against Officials
- Police officers: The commission found SHO Adeel Afzal of Ferozabad police station and Sub-Inspector Shabbir Leghari, the first investigating officer, guilty of criminal negligence, Dawn reports. The Home Department asked the Sindh IGP to act against negligent officers.
- Inquiry committee: A one-member committee under Additional IGP (CTD) Zulfiqar Ali Larik will examine each named officer and report to the IGP. Its terms include probing the role of Inspector Ghaus in the burning of the crime scene.
- Medico-legal officer: Dr Osama Sheikh, who did the first examination, was criticised because his findings were later shown to be wrong by a second autopsy. The government has decided to suspend him and start proceedings.
- Criminal proceedings: The Sindh government asked the Interior Ministry for an FIA officer of at least BS-20 to lead a high-level committee that would pursue criminal cases against any guilty police officials.
These are findings and decisions at this stage. They are not court verdicts, and the officers named have not been reported as convicted of anything.
What the Family Says
ARY News reports that Mir Raza’s father, Mir Hussain, welcomed the JIT recommendation on 21 October. He said the family has given the government names for the team and wants the officers named in the report investigated. He said the family’s protest will continue until the JIT is officially announced and that they will then decide their next steps.
What Is Not Yet Known
- The full membership of the JIT, which depends on the agencies’ replies.
- Who killed Mir Raza and why. The reports I read mention no arrests or charges.
- When the JIT will report.
- Whether any court proceedings will follow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is leading the JIT?
West DIG Irfan Baloch, according to the Sindh Home Minister’s announcement.
Which agencies were asked to send officers?
The ISI, IB, NCCIA and Sindh Rangers.
How long do they have?
Seven days from the letters dated 23 October 2026.
Was it murder or suicide?
The judicial commission said it should be treated as murder, according to Minute Mirror.
What did the commission say about the police?
That the investigation was an “epic failure,” with criminal negligence by named officers.
Has anyone been arrested?
None of the reports I read mention an arrest.
The JIT is the next major step in a case where the family and the public want answers. Its work will depend on how quickly the agencies send their officers.
