Investigators Examine Call Records as Murder Probe Expands
Police investigating the murder of young businessman Mir Raza Ali are questioning around 35 people who were in phone contact with him before his death.
The development was disclosed by newly appointed investigating officer DSP Siraj Lashari during a court hearing on Saturday.
Mir Raza Ali, an IBA graduate and businessman, went missing on July 28.
His bullet-riddled body was recovered the following day from bushes in Gulistan-i-Jauhar.
The killing triggered a major investigation as police began examining his movements, communications and personal contacts.
DSP Lashari told the judicial magistrate that call data records had identified around 35 people who had communicated with Mir Raza.
Investigators are now questioning those individuals to determine whether any of them can provide information relevant to the murder.
Police have not yet formally named anyone as an accused in the case.
The investigating officer told the court that the inquiry was still at an early stage and additional time was required.
DSP Lashari said he had taken charge of the investigation only two days before appearing in court.
He therefore requested more time to review the available evidence and complete important investigative procedures.
Police Await Forensic and Medical Reports
The investigating officer informed the court that several key reports were still pending.
Police are waiting for forensic findings that could help establish important details surrounding the murder.
Medical reports are also being collected as part of the investigation.
Authorities are expected to examine available physical evidence alongside the victim’s call data and witness statements.
Investigators will also assess the nature of Mir Raza’s communication with the 35 individuals identified through phone records.
Police told the court that no final conclusion could be reached until the remaining evidence was collected and analysed.
The judicial magistrate accepted the request for additional time.
The court directed the investigating officer to complete further work on the case and submit a progress report on August 24.
The investigation remains open, with police continuing to examine possible motives and connections linked to the killing.
Business Partner’s Interim Bail Extended Until August 24
In a related development, a sessions court extended the interim pre-arrest bail of Mir Raza Ali’s business partner, Muhammad Ahmed Bhardey, until August 24.
An additional district and sessions judge in East district had previously granted Bhardey pre-arrest bail against a surety bond of Rs100,000.
His earlier bail protection was valid until August 15.
During Saturday’s hearing, his lawyer Khalid Mumtaz told the court that his client feared arrest despite cooperating with investigators.
The lawyer alleged that police were harassing Bhardey during the investigation.
He also told the court that his client had been called to the crime scene instead of being summoned to a police station.
Advocate Jibran Nasir, representing Mir Raza Ali’s family, responded that police had summoned Bhardey as part of the wider investigation.
He said Bhardey was among approximately 35 people being questioned by investigators.
The judge questioned why Bhardey had sought pre-arrest bail when he had not initially been nominated as an accused.
The court also made clear that bail would not exempt him from participating in the investigation.
Bhardey told the court that he had been appearing before police whenever summoned.
The judge directed him to continue cooperating with investigators.
He was also ordered not to leave the city while the murder investigation remained underway.
The court then extended his interim pre-arrest bail until August 24.
Police are expected to provide an updated progress report on the same date as investigators continue questioning individuals linked to Mir Raza Ali through phone records.
