The Sindh Human Rights Commission has publicly questioned the integrity of the Gulistan-e-Johar police, telling the station house officer (SHO) that his department’s handling of the Mir Raza case appears intentionally obstructive.
During a hearing yesterday, the commission’s leadership made their frustration clear. They didn’t mince words, telling the SHO directly, “We find you suspicious.” The commission pointed to a pattern of missing evidence and shifting timelines that have stalled the investigation into Raza’s disappearance.
The case has become a flashpoint for public anger in Karachi. Raza, a local resident, went missing under circumstances that his family insists involve police negligence, if not outright complicity. Despite repeated filings, the local police station has failed to produce a comprehensive report or identify any suspects, citing a lack of leads—an explanation the commission dismissed as “conveniently hollow.”
“You are failing to provide basic documentation,” a commission member noted during the session. “Every time we ask for a status update, the story changes.”
The SHO, appearing before the commission, attempted to deflect by pointing to administrative hurdles and a lack of surveillance footage from the area. The response fell flat. The commission pointed out that the police had access to private security feeds from nearby businesses weeks ago, yet failed to secure them before they were wiped.
For the family of Mir Raza, the hearing was a rare moment of accountability. They have spent months navigating a system they describe as a revolving door of empty promises. Each time they visit the station, they are met with the same request for patience, while the trail grows colder.
The commission has now ordered the police to submit a complete, verified case file within 48 hours. They also demanded an explanation as to why the initial investigation team was reshuffled twice in the first month—a move the commission suspects was aimed at burying the case rather than solving it.
The police have until Thursday to provide the requested records. Failure to do so will likely result in the commission recommending formal disciplinary action against the officers involved. For now, the investigation remains in a state of paralysis, with the police under intense scrutiny to prove they aren’t hiding more than they are revealing.
