Mir Raza case: Sindh home minister apologises over AG’s conduct before judicial commission

• Commission says family’s confidence in probe remains low.
• Justice Sial says AG’s conduct added “fuel to the fire”.
• Lanjar assures govt support for commission’s proceedings.
  

KARACHI: Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar on Thursday apologised unconditionally before the judicial commission, probing businessman Mir Raza Ali’s death, over the conduct of Advocate General Javad Dero during the previous hearing.

Raza, an IBA graduate and businessman, was found dead in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar a day after he went missing on July 28. His father has consistently maintained that his son was murdered and has rejected suggestions that the death was a case of suicide.

At the previous hearing on Tuesday, the commission suspended proceedings following the advocate general’s intervention and ordered that a notice be issued to Lanjar.

During today’s hearing, Justice Omar Sial, who heads the commission, told Lanjar that he had written to the chief justice of the Sindh High Court (SHC), who had appointed him to the commission.

Justice Sial said the family had very little confidence in the investigation and criticised the advocate general’s conduct during the previous proceedings, saying he had “added fuel to the fire”.

He said the advocate general’s attitude had been disrespectful and explained that the purpose of summoning Lanjar was to restore public confidence in the investigation.

Justice Sial also asked whether the Sindh government’s vision was aligned with the commission’s efforts to establish the facts surrounding Raza’s death.

Lanjar assured the commission that the provincial government was making efforts to ensure peace and justice in Sindh and had established the commission to restore public confidence.

He said the commission’s terms of reference (ToRs) clearly allowed it to summon anyone and assured the members that the government was ready to provide whatever support and evidence was required.

“We do not want to interfere with the commission’s proceedings,” Lanjar said, adding that the commission could conduct its proceedings in whatever manner it deemed appropriate.

He also assured the commission that the Home Department’s representatives would remain available for assistance and that the family would be provided whatever it needed.

The commission also said it wanted AG Dero to continue as advocate general, describing him as a “very capable” law officer, and said it did not want anyone to believe that the Sindh government was unwilling to pursue the investigation.

Lawyer Jibran Nasir, representing Raza’s family, told the commission that allegations had been levelled against it by Raza’s business partner Ahmed and that Ahmed’s lawyer had made certain revelations.

Nasir said he would submit an application seeking Ahmed’s reappearance before the commission so he could explain anything he wished to place on record.

Meanwhile, the commission expressed dissatisfaction with the written response submitted by Dr Usama to a show-cause notice issued to him and summoned him in his personal capacity on September 15.

It also summoned Sachal SHO Adeel Afzal, Head Muharrir Zeeshan, Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed and medical board chairman Professor Naseem for September 14.

As Professor Naseem is abroad, the commission directed that arrangements be made for his appearance through video link.

The commission’s written order said the Sindh government had expressed its commitment to a transparent investigation, while Lanjar said a misunderstanding had arisen during the previous hearing.

It added that the family’s lawyer had thanked the minister for his clarification and said the dispute over the proceedings had been resolved amicably.

The proceedings will resume on September 14.

‘I have apologised unconditionally’: minister

Speaking to the media after the commission’s hearing at the SHC, Lanjar said the provincial government would provide whatever assistance and evidence the commission required and ensure that those found involved were brought to justice.

He said the court had already rejected a petition seeking the formation of a joint investigation team (JIT) in the case.

“I have apologised unconditionally,” Lanjar said, adding that he wanted the bereaved family to get justice and the commission’s findings to bring the facts to light.