KARACHI: The provincial government announced on Sunday it would be approaching the chief justice of the Sindh High Court to set up a judicial commission to determine whether the investigation in the Mir Raza Ali murder case was being conducted impartially and in accordance with the law.

However, Advocate Jibran Nasir, the counsel for Raza’s family, raised objections and said the family would also approach the SHC on Monday (today) against the provincial government’s decision.

The Sindh government’s decision came days after Raza’s parents sent a letter to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, requesting that he directly supervise the investigation.

“The letter addressed by the family to the chief minister has been received with compassion and the utmost seriousness. After carefully considering the concerns expressed by the family, the government of Sindh has decided to request the honourable Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court to establish a Judicial Commission to conduct an impartial and transparent inquiry,” said a statement issued by the office of the Sindh CM.

Lawyer for Raza’s family says he will approach high court today to oppose judicial body, seek JIT

The statement said that the commission “shall determine whether the investigation in the case is being conducted impartially and in accordance with law. It shall also identify any investigative angle or evidence requiring further investigation”.

It said: “The Commission shall further determine whether any police officer, medico-legal officer or other official committed negligence, dereliction of duty, professional misconduct, suppression or manipulation of evidence, or any unlawful act, omission or cover-up. The commission may recommend further investigation, forensic analysis and appropriate legal or departmental action wherever warranted.

“For the effective discharge of its mandate, the commission shall exercise all powers available to it under the Sindh Tribunals of Inquiry Ordinance, 1969, including the powers of a civil court to summon and enforce the attendance of witnesses, examine them on oath, and require the discovery and production of documents and other records.

“All government departments, agencies and officials have been directed to extend full cooperation to the commission and provide every record, document and form of assistance sought by it. The Home Department shall provide the necessary secretariat support.

“The commission shall submit its report, together with its findings and recommendations, to the Government of Sindh within 30 days of its constitution, or within such extended period as may be allowed where necessary for a complete and fair inquiry.

The Commission will be fully empowered to examine the conduct of the investigation and recommend appropriate action in accordance with law,” it added.

Extending its deepest sympathy and heartfelt solidarity to the family, the government hoped that a “transparent judicial inquiry will address the family’s legitimate concerns, establish accountability wherever warranted and reinforce confidence in the rule of law”.

Parents to move SHC for JIT formation

Reacting to the provincial government’s decision, lawyer for victim family Advocate Nasir posted on X that they would move the SHC tomorrow to form a joint investigation team (JIT) and oppose the planned commission.

“Forming a judicial commission without informing the family of Mir Raza, nor making the terms of reference of the inquiry public. Why are other law enforcement agencies not engaged and a JIT [is not] formed? Why is the criminal conduct of police officers not investigated? Tomorrow, the family will move the high court for JIT and to oppose the judicial commission,” he wrote on X.

He pointed out that police were yet to submit an investigation report before the magistrate.

“Before the submission of the police report, why has the Sindh govt announced a judicial commission? Is it because they know the outcome of the police investigation and they disagree with it?” he questioned.

Earlier, Raza’s parents, Mir Hussain and Mariam, wrote a letter to the CM, alleging that the investigation continued to suffer as the probe team “appears to focus on perpetuating the false narrative of the death of the deceased by suicide”.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2026