Sindh cabinet extends Mir Raza inquiry commission’s tenure till Oct 15
The Sindh cabinet on Thursday approved an extension in the tenure of the judicial commission investigating the death of Mir Raza Ali until October 15, allowing it more time to complete its inquiry and finalise its findings and recommendations. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah at the CM House, according to Chief Minister’s spokesperson Abdul Rasheed Channa. The cabinet was informed that the commission, headed by Sindh High Court Justice Omar Sial, had conducted extensive proceedings and recorded statements from dozens of witnesses. It was told that the commission required additional time to complete its investigation and prepare its findings and recommendations. The cabinet also decided that Justice Sial could continue the inquiry if further time was required. The development comes days after the chief minister approved a summary seeking an extension of the commission’s tenure until October 15. Formal approval from the provincial cabinet was required to complete the process. The commission’s initial one-month term expired on September 27. It had earlier adjourned proceedings until October 2 to record statements from remaining witnesses and work on its final report. During previous proceedings, the commission raised questions about the handling of evidence and the performance of the initial investigation team. It also examined discrepancies in the first post-mortem report and issues concerning the formation of medical boards. The commission had expressed concern over CCTV footage from the crime scene, where it was informed that 52 cameras were installed in the surrounding area but footage from only one camera had initially been obtained. It also questioned the circumstances in which part of the crime scene was set on fire. Justice Sial had summoned senior officials over matters relating to the investigation and medical examination. The commission also examined deficiencies in the initial post-mortem report, while a subsequent post-mortem reportedly ruled out suicide, according to earlier court proceedings.
The Sindh cabinet on Thursday approved an extension in the tenure of the judicial commission investigating the death of Mir Raza Ali until October 15, allowing it more time to complete its inquiry and finalise its findings and recommendations.
The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah at the CM House, according to Chief Minister’s spokesperson Abdul Rasheed Channa.
The cabinet was informed that the commission, headed by Sindh High Court Justice Omar Sial, had conducted extensive proceedings and recorded statements from dozens of witnesses. It was told that the commission required additional time to complete its investigation and prepare its findings and recommendations.
The cabinet also decided that Justice Sial could continue the inquiry if further time was required.
The development comes days after the chief minister approved a summary seeking an extension of the commission’s tenure until October 15. Formal approval from the provincial cabinet was required to complete the process.
The commission’s initial one-month term expired on September 27. It had earlier adjourned proceedings until October 2 to record statements from remaining witnesses and work on its final report.
During previous proceedings, the commission raised questions about the handling of evidence and the performance of the initial investigation team. It also examined discrepancies in the first post-mortem report and issues concerning the formation of medical boards.
The commission had expressed concern over CCTV footage from the crime scene, where it was informed that 52 cameras were installed in the surrounding area but footage from only one camera had initially been obtained. It also questioned the circumstances in which part of the crime scene was set on fire.
Justice Sial had summoned senior officials over matters relating to the investigation and medical examination. The commission also examined deficiencies in the initial post-mortem report, while a subsequent post-mortem reportedly ruled out suicide, according to earlier court proceedings.