KARACHI, April 20: Murtaza Razvi, senior assistant editor and head of Dawn’s magazines, who was found murdered on Thursday, was laid to rest in the Defence graveyard on Friday. His funeral procession was taken out from his residence in Khayban-i-Rahat while his Namaz-i-Janaza was offered after Juma prayers at Yasrab Imambargah in DHA Phase IV.

Besides his relatives, friends and colleagues, a large number of journalists, writers, artists and literary persons attended the funeral.

Probe team

The additional IG of Karachi, Akhtar Hussain Gorchani, on Friday constituted an investigation team to investigate the murder of Mr Razvi.

DIG-south Shaukat Ali, SSP-south Nasir Aftab, SP Tariq Dharejo, SP-Saddar Dr Farrukh Ali, DSP-Darakhshan Shiraz Sheikh and the SHO of the Darakhshan police station are members of the team.

An FIR (159/2012) was registered against unidentified persons on a complaint of the victim’s nephew at the Darakhshan police station, the police said.

Condolences

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the murder of Mr Razvi and directed the authorities concerned to submit an inquiry report.

In a condolence message to the family, the president expressed shock and grief over the killing of Mr Razvi.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, an independent watchdog, on Thursday urged Pakistani authorities to investigate the killing of prominent journalist and writer Murtaza Razvi and apprehend those involved in his murder.

“We offer our deep condolences to the family and colleagues of Murtaza Razvi,” Bob Dietz, the CPJ Asia programme coordinator, said in a statement.

The Pakistan Herald Workers Union, CBA, for the employees of the Dawn group of Media, also condoled the death.