Here are the latest updates in Mir Raza Ali case so far.
1. Fresh forensic findings have raised questions about how Raza died.
Chemical analysis found gunshot residue on the back of Raza’s shirt, traces of acid and bupivacaine in his blood. Bupivacaine is a local anaesthetic used to numb an area and reduce pain. While its presence has raised questions about whether it was administered before Raza’s death, investigators have not established that he was sedated or incapacitated. Acid was also detected on his clothes, although no acid burns were reportedly found on his body. His shirt had two bullet holes: a larger 38mm wound at the front and a smaller 7mm wound at the back. The first and second post-mortems also differed over the direction of the shooting.
2. Investigators are trying to establish what happened during Raza’s missing hours.
Raza booked an online taxi at 3:57am and began the ride around 4:09am. The driver described him as calm and cheerful and said Raza directed the route. He was later missing for approximately 12 hours before his body was found. CCTV footage reportedly emerged on July 28 and is now being examined alongside his movements. Investigators are also looking into a suspected guesthouse and other locations of interest. Lawyer Jibran Nasir has raised the possibility that Raza may have been held captive or tortured during this period.
3. The handling of Raza’s digital evidence has come under scrutiny.
His mobile phone was sent to the CTD, while his smartwatch was reportedly taken from the family several days after the funeral. Nasir alleged that the smartwatch, which he described as an important piece of digital evidence, remained with a police officer for eight days without a formal seizure memo. He has also raised concerns that Raza’s phone may have been hacked. The initial investigation has been criticised for allegedly failing to conduct geofencing, obtain mobile data and call records, or forensically examine the smartwatch.
4. A new investigation team is now revisiting the evidence and potential crime locations.
DSP Siraj Lashari and Inspector Mohammed Ali were added to the investigation following a request from Raza’s family lawyer. The new team plans to conduct geofencing, obtain Raza’s call data records and investigate the suspected guesthouse. It has also approached the NCCIA to determine whether Raza had received any threats before his death. The team, accompanied by Raza’s father and Nasir, has also visited the crime scene. Additional samples were collected when Raza’s body was exhumed around 12 days after his death following a court order and the family’s request.
5. The family continues to reject suicide and is pursuing possible foul play.
Nasir has strongly rejected the suggestion that Raza died by suicide, arguing that the circumstances require an investigation into possible foul play. He has alleged that perpetrators may have attempted to conceal Raza’s identity using acid and fire. He has also raised a possible financial angle, alleging that around Rs300 million may have been withdrawn or transferred from Raza’s account to create the appearance of financial loss and support a suicide narrative. This remains an allegation requiring investigation. The family has identified three suspicious individuals and says it will pursue all legal avenues. Raza’s father, Mir Hussain, said he was encouraged by the renewed investigation and believed the case was finally moving in the right direction.
This is a developing story.
Sources: DAWN, and The News.
