The Sindh Cabinet on Thursday approved an extension for the judicial commission investigating the death of 25-year-old Mir Raza Ali, allowing it to continue proceedings until October 15.
The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah at the CM House.
The Sindh Home Department had established the judicial commission on August 24, appointing Justice Omar Sial as its head following his nomination by the chief justice of the Sindh High Court. The commission began its hearings on September 1.
Cabinet members were informed that the commission had conducted extensive proceedings and recorded statements from dozens of witnesses, but required additional time to complete its investigation and finalise its findings and recommendations.
The commission’s original tenure expired on September 28, after which it formally requested an extension until October 15.
The cabinet approved the request and further decided that Justice Sial could continue the inquiry beyond October 15 if additional time was required to complete the proceedings.
Before the cabinet’s decision, the commission had adjourned proceedings until October 2 while awaiting approval of the extension.
According to an earlier written order, the commission had indicated that without an extension it would summon no further witnesses and would prepare its final report on the basis of evidence already recorded. With the extension now approved, the commission can issue fresh notices, hear additional witnesses and continue gathering evidence before finalising its findings.