Mir Raza Ali case: Justice Omar Sial assures family of transparent inquiry

KARACHI: A judicial commission headed by Sindh High Court (SHC) Justice Omar Sial on Friday began proceedings into the Mir Raza murder case, assuring the victim’s family that the inquiry would be conducted transparently and without fear or favour.

At the outset, Justice Omar Sial expressed condolences to the family, saying, “I extend my condolences to you. Your child was brutally taken from you.”

He said he had been dealing with murder cases for the past 10 years and understood the pain and difficulties faced by bereaved families.

“You need closure in this case,” Justice Sial told the family.

The proceedings followed correspondence between the victim’s family, the Sindh government and the Sindh High Court. Jibran Nasir informed the commission that the family’s lawyer had written to the Sindh chief minister on August 19, while the Sindh government approached the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court on August 22.

Justice Sial said the family’s criticism of the handling of the case was justified, assuring them that proceedings before the commission would be conducted openly.

Read more: Mir Raza Ali case: Investigator re-examines key eyewitness

“What has happened so far has taken place behind closed doors,” he remarked, adding that the commission would seek answers to the questions raised by the family.

Clarifying the scope of the commission, Justice Sial said an inquiry was different from an investigation. Under its terms of reference, the commission would examine shortcomings in the investigation, police performance and any negligence in the handling of the case.

“The commission will not conduct the investigation itself. We will only identify mistakes and shortcomings,” he said.

Justice Sial further clarified that a petition filed separately by the family was not related to the commission and would continue independently.

Mir Hussain, father of the deceased, told the commission that the family did not have confidence in the existing investigation.

Justice Sial assured the family that the commission would remain open to all concerned and would not function like a conventional commission.

“We will conduct the commission without being intimidated by anyone,” he said, adding that he would not meet anyone privately during the commission’s tenure.

He went so far as to say that even if Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah came to meet him, he would decline the meeting.

Justice Sial said the matter was not limited to Mir Raza alone, but concerned everyone seeking to live a dignified life.

“We want to ensure that this does not happen to another Mir Raza,” he said. The commission will complete its proceedings and submit recommendations after examining the relevant aspects of the case.

Justice Sial also expressed hope that the dignity and institutional standing of government departments would be respected during the proceedings.

At the end of the hearing, Justice Sial asked the victim’s family whether it had confidence in the commission. “We have confidence in you,” Mir Hussain replied.