National

  The Peshawar High Court has issued a written order on a petition seeking the recovery of a missing citizen and directed the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) to conduct a detailed inquiry into the matter. According to the written order, the CCPO has been instructed to appoint an inquiry officer to investigate the disappearance. The court specifically directed that the officer appointed for the inquiry must be of at least the rank of inspector, ensuring that the investigation is conducted by a senior police official. The court also issued several directions regarding the collection of evidence. It ordered the investigating officer to obtain CCTV footage from a private petrol station where the petitioner and his brother were present at the time of the incident. The footage is expected to help establish the circumstances surrounding the citizen’s disappearance and identify any individuals who may have been involved. The court further directed the authorities to record the statement of the petitioner and collect all available evidence related to the case. The inquiry officer has been instructed to examine the facts thoroughly and ensure that no relevant piece of evidence is overlooked during the investigation. The Peshawar High Court ordered that the inquiry be completed within one month and that a detailed report be submitted to the court after its conclusion. The deadline was set to ensure that the investigation proceeds without unnecessary delay and that the family receives information about the whereabouts of the missing citizen. The written order stated that the petitioner and his brother were present at a private petrol pump when the incident allegedly occurred. According to the petitioner’s account, his brother was taken to an unknown location on May 15. Since then, his whereabouts have reportedly remained unknown, prompting the petitioner to approach the high court seeking his recovery. The court also took note of the position presented by the police during the proceedings. According to the written order, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Chamkani Police Station rejected the allegations concerning the disappearance of the petitioner’s brother. Despite the SHO’s denial, the high court considered it necessary to order a formal inquiry and directed senior police authorities to investigate the matter independently. The court’s directions include examining CCTV footage, recording statements and gathering all relevant evidence to determine what happened to the missing citizen. The inquiry is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the disappearance and determine whether further legal action is required. By directing the CCPO to appoint an officer of inspector rank or above, the court has emphasized the need for a serious and transparent investigation. The authorities have been given one month to complete the inquiry and submit their findings before the court. The case will proceed based on the report and evidence collected during the investigation.

  A subcommittee of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior reprimanded a Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) official during a meeting after the official failed to provide the records and details sought by the committee. During the meeting, Committee Chairman Saifullah Abro expressed strong displeasure over the FBR official’s failure to submit the required information. Questioning the official’s position, Abro asked, “Are you even above the prime minister?” He further warned the official not to attempt to avoid the committee’s questions by giving explanations about the board’s internal procedures.   Abro made it clear that the committee expected the FBR to provide the requested information instead of offering excuses or referring to internal matters. He stressed that parliamentary committees have the authority to seek information from government departments when investigating matters of public importance. The chairman particularly sought details regarding certificates issued by the FBR to cigarette manufacturing companies. He said the committee should be provided with complete information about the certificates issued by the tax authority and the companies that received them.   “Details of the certificates issued by the FBR to cigarette companies must be provided,” Abro said during the meeting. He indicated that the committee wanted to examine the record and determine the circumstances under which the certificates had been issued. The matter came under discussion as the committee reviewed information concerning cigarette companies and the relevant government records. The failure to provide the requested documentation prompted the committee leadership to take a tougher stance toward the concerned officials. During the meeting, the committee also issued directions to officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The committee instructed FIA authorities to initially issue notices to 108 companies as part of the proceedings. The notices are expected to seek information and clarification from the companies regarding matters under investigation by the committee. The move indicates that the committee intends to broaden its examination and obtain information directly from the companies concerned rather than relying solely on government departments. Abro also warned the officials against forcing the committee to escalate the matter to the highest level of government. Addressing the authorities, the committee convener said, “Do not force us to write to the prime minister.” His remarks reflected the committee’s frustration over what it considered a lack of cooperation from the relevant authorities. The chairman emphasized that government institutions should respond to parliamentary oversight mechanisms and provide the information requested by lawmakers. The committee’s proceedings highlight the role of parliamentary oversight in examining the functioning of government departments and ensuring transparency. By seeking details of certificates issued to cigarette companies and directing the FIA to issue notices to 108 companies, the subcommittee appears to be pursuing a broader inquiry into the matter. The committee is expected to review the information obtained from the FBR, FIA and the companies concerned in subsequent meetings. Further action could be considered after the requested records and responses are submitted. The strong remarks by Saifullah Abro also signal that the committee may escalate the issue if government departments continue to withhold or delay the provision of information. For now, the FIA has been directed to proceed with notices to the 108 companies, while the FBR is expected to provide details of the certificates issued to cigarette manufacturers.

  A meeting of the investigation team probing the death of Karachi-based young businessman Mir Raza has concluded at Ferozabad Police Station, where several important decisions were taken regarding the ongoing investigation. According to investigative sources, different tasks have been assigned to members of the committee as part of the inquiry. The family of Mir Raza will be formally interviewed and their statements will be recorded. The team has also decided to record the statements of 21 individuals who were taken into custody during the investigation. Following the meeting, members of the investigation committee left for the crime scene to inspect the location and collect additional evidence. The former investigating officer will also accompany the new investigation team during the visit. Meanwhile, the new investigation team has contacted the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in connection with the case. The team has requested details of Mir Raza’s social media profiles and digital accounts to examine his online activity and determine whether it could provide any clues regarding his disappearance and death. The new team has written four letters to the NCCIA. In one of the letters, the agency was asked to conduct a forensic examination of Mir Raza’s smartwatch. The smartwatch was handed over to the NCCIA a day earlier for examination. However, the victim’s family has requested that the forensic examination of the smartwatch be conducted at a forensic laboratory in Lahore rather than by the NCCIA. The family’s lawyer, Jibran Nasir, said the smartwatch had remained in the possession of the former head of the investigation committee for several days, raising concerns about possible tampering. He demanded that the forensic examination be carried out in Lahore to ensure transparency and credibility. Earlier, on August 12, Dr Usama Sheikh, who conducted Mir Raza’s initial post-mortem examination, was removed from his position as a medico-legal officer. Officials said the doctor had committed serious errors during the initial post-mortem. He will appear before officials during an inquiry into the matter. A preliminary medical report following the exhumation and second post-mortem of Mir Raza indicated signs of physical trauma on his body. The report stated that the gunshot wound was smaller at the back and larger at the front, suggesting that the bullet may have entered from the rear. The report also revealed that Mir Raza had suffered fractured ribs and multiple injuries to his head and face. A fracture and wound approximately 12 centimetres long were found on his right thigh, while blood stains were also detected in tissues in the lower part of his body. The preliminary findings obtained after his exhumation on August 8 differed significantly from the initial post-mortem report. Evidence of a deep injury and fracture was found in his jaw, while injuries were also detected on his nasal bone and various parts of his face. Investigative sources said 17 samples were collected during the exhumation. Samples from Mir Raza’s parents were also obtained for DNA matching. The samples will be submitted to the forensic laboratory of the University of Karachi. After the samples were collected, Mir Raza was reburied on the same day, August 8. Mir Raza Ali Khan went missing from the PECHS area of Karachi on July 28. He left home at 4:09 a.m. in an online taxi, and his body was recovered from Gulistan-e-Johar two days later. Police said the body was found in a severely damaged condition and had a gunshot wound to the chest. His social media accounts had reportedly been shut down one day before his body was recovered. According to Mir Raza’s father, his son was scheduled to marry on August 30 at Bait-ul-Mukarram Mosque in Gulshan-e-Iqbal and had been very happy about starting a new chapter in his life.