Mir Raza Murder Case: New Team, New Leads — But a Three-Year-Dead Ballistics Machine Raises Fresh Questions
Imran
The investigation into the murder of young businessman Mir Raza in Karachi has entered a new phase, with a newly constituted police investigation team assigning specific tasks to officers across several key areas.
But as investigators pursue new leads, one critical question remains unanswered: when will the bullet casing recovered from the crime scene undergo forensic ballistic analysis?
According to investigative sources, Sindh Police’s only ballistic forensic machine has remained non-functional since 2023. As a result, the bullet casing recovered in the Mir Raza murder case has still not undergone forensic examination, even six days after the incident.
Sources claim that since 2023, bullet casings recovered in no high-profile case have undergone FSL analysis. In cases involving target killings, terrorism and extortion, the casings have instead been examined manually.
According to sources, the Forensic Division in Karachi has only one expert available to examine bullet casings. The head of the Forensic Division, Javed Baloch, also retired eight days ago. The ballistic forensic machine, imported at considerable cost, has reportedly remained out of service for three years, raising questions about the capacity for scientific examination of crucial crime-scene evidence.
Meanwhile, investigators have made progress on other fronts. The new investigation team has summoned the driver of an online taxi service to record his statement. Investigative sources say the driver transported Mir Raza from Shahrah-e-Millat Road to Gulistan-e-Johar in the early hours of July 28.
In another significant development, the investigation committee has sought information about Mir Raza from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). The letter asks the agency to provide any available data concerning Mir Raza, whether relating to any complaint against him or information in his favour.
NCCIA officials, however, say the agency has no record of any inquiry or application concerning Mir Raza.
A New Team, Multiple Lines of Investigation
The newly formed investigation team has been assigned separate responsibilities covering physical evidence, digital data, geofencing, financial activity and forensic evidence.
Investigative sources say SSP Ali Raza has been tasked with collecting crime-scene evidence and digital evidence. DSP Sirajuddin and Inspector Chaudhry Ghazanfar will handle crime-scene evidence and geofencing.
SP Qais Khan has been assigned the investigation into Mir Raza’s digital-currency investments, along with coordination and investigative work involving the NCCIA.
Anam Tujmal will oversee investigative angles concerning medico-legal and forensic evidence, including the post-mortem, exhumation and laboratory reports.
The new investigation team will also receive technical support from CPLC, according to investigative sources.
The investigation has therefore expanded well beyond the crime scene — into digital evidence, geofencing, cyber records, financial activity and medico-legal findings.
The challenge now is to connect these separate pieces into one clear investigative picture and determine whether the evidence can finally provide the scientific answers that the case demands.
