KARACHI: Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar announced on Thursday that a joint investigation team (JIT) would be formed in accordance with the recommendations of the judicial commission formed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Mir Raza Ali.

The home minister announced this while speaking to the media. He said: “The JIT will be formed under West Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Irfan Baloch, and the summary has been sent to the chief minister.”

The decision to form a JIT under DIG Baloch was in line with the judicial commission’s report, which had suggested his appointment.

Submitted to the Sindh government on Oct 15, the report by Justice Omar Sial of the Sindh High Court had recommended the formation of a JIT under the leadership of DIG Baloch to “balance the need for public accountability with preserving Sindh Police morale and reputation”.

The home minister said that in his recommendations to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, he had proposed that the JIT’s terms of reference (TORs) include the submission of a charge sheet upon completion of the investigation.

However, he added, “It is the prerogative of the court to accept it or not under the circumstances; either it is a murder or suicide”.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2026