Karachi young businessman Mir Ali Raza found dead: What we know so far

From his last taxi ride to missing digital evidence, investigators are piecing together the final hours of the Karachi businessman whose killing has shocked the city.

By News Desk
By News Desk
ali raza mir

Police are continuing to investigate the abduction and murder of 25-year-old businessman Mir Ali Raza, whose body was found in Gulistan-e-Jauhar after he disappeared in the early hours of July 28.

Raza, an Institute of Business Administration (IBA) graduate and owner of two restaurants, had left his home telling his family that he would return within 10 minutes. However, he never came back. His body was later recovered from bushes in Block 1 of Gulistan-e-Jauhar, prompting an extensive police investigation.

According to the first information report (FIR) lodged by his father at Ferozabad police station, the family had no known enmity with anyone and was unaware of any business or financial disputes involving the victim.

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Last known movements

According to the FIR, Raza returned home from his shop near Bahadurabad Chowrangi late on the night of July 28 before leaving again shortly afterwards. He informed family members that he would be back within 10 minutes.

CCTV footage obtained during the investigation shows a white vehicle arriving outside his residence at approximately 4:09am. The footage captures Raza getting into the rear seat of the vehicle before it drove away.

Police are analysing the footage to identify the vehicle and determine the identities of those travelling in it.

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Body recovered from Gulistan-e-Jauhar

Raza’s body was later discovered in bushes in Block 1 of Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

According to investigators, the businessman had been tortured before being shot once in the chest. Initial rumours circulating on social media that acid had been used in the attack were ruled out after doctors examined the body.

Police said the body’s condition was the result of advanced decomposition rather than chemical burns, estimating that it had remained at the site for more than 30 hours before being recovered.

Investigation traces final journey

Investigators have reconstructed part of Raza’s final journey through digital evidence.

Police said he booked an online taxi after leaving home and travelled to the kitchen facility used for his dessert bar and restaurant in Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

The taxi driver was questioned and confirmed that he had safely dropped Raza at the kitchen.

Investigators believe the alleged kidnapping and subsequent murder took place after Raza left the premises. The kitchen is located in a residential-style neighbourhood rather than a commercial area, making the investigation more challenging.

Mobile phone and social media under scrutiny

Police have yet to recover the victim’s mobile phone, which investigators consider a key piece of evidence.

Officials have sought technical assistance from the relevant telecom company to obtain Raza’s call data record (CDR), location history and other digital information. Investigators are also examining the phone numbers with which he had recently been in contact.

Another aspect of the investigation involves Raza’s social media accounts, which were deactivated several hours before his body was discovered.

Police are trying to determine whether the accounts were disabled by Raza himself or by someone who accessed his phone after his disappearance.

Suspects questioned

Police confirmed that several individuals have been identified and questioned, although no major breakthrough has yet been made.

Statements have been recorded from employees working at the kitchen on the night of the incident as well as staff members employed at Raza’s two restaurants.

Investigators said certain suspicions emerged during questioning but declined to disclose further details, saying the information was being withheld to avoid compromising the investigation.

Lack of surveillance hampers investigation

Police are reviewing CCTV footage from surrounding streets, neighbourhoods and nearby businesses to reconstruct Raza’s movements after he left the kitchen.

However, investigators said the absence of a comprehensive Safe City surveillance system has significantly hindered the investigation. Much of the available footage comes from privately installed cameras, many of which provide poor-quality images.

Officials said they are relying on a combination of forensic evidence, technical analysis and human intelligence to identify those responsible.

Family mourns son days before wedding

Speaking to Geo News, Raza’s father, Mir Raza Ali, said his son had left home on July 28 for work-related reasons. When his mobile phone became unreachable, the family immediately lodged a missing person’s report.

Ali said the family later obtained Raza’s last known location through the online taxi service and rushed to Gulistan-e-Jauhar, where police informed them that an unidentified body had already been recovered.

“The body was beyond recognition, but the clothes were my son’s,” he said.

The grieving father said his son had never shared any business-related problems, financial difficulties or personal disputes with the family.

He also revealed that Raza was due to get married on August 30 and had been eagerly preparing for the wedding.

Investigation continues

Police said the investigation remains ongoing and that efforts are focused on analysing technical evidence, CCTV footage and witness statements to establish the sequence of events leading to Raza’s abduction and murder.

Authorities have not announced any arrests so far and say further details will be shared as the investigation progresses.

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