Newly obtained CCTV footage has helped investigators piece together the final movements of Mir Raza Ali, owner of the Wafflix dessert chain, as police continue to investigate whether his death was the result of murder or suicide.
According to investigators, Mir Raza left his shop near Bahadurabad at around 3:30am on July 28, after taking a .30-bore pistol belonging to the shop’s security guard. He then returned home, where police say he left behind his car, smartwatch, house keys and Rs39,000 before booking an online taxi.
Police said he departed his residence at 4:08am and travelled to Gulistan-e-Jauhar. His mobile phone was switched off near Johar Mor Hilltop at around 4:22am, and CCTV footage reportedly shows him walking alone after being dropped off in Gulistan-e-Jauhar Block 2 at approximately 4:28am.
Investigators say they have collected significant evidence and are close to determining the motive behind the case but stress that both murder and suicide remain under investigation pending the completion of forensic analysis.
Police sources said Mir Raza was involved in cryptocurrency trading in addition to his restaurant business. Investigators believe heavy financial losses since late 2025 left him with debts estimated at Rs50 million to Rs80 million, prompting him to seek financial assistance from several people before his disappearance. Authorities are also examining transactions, including an overseas investment reportedly worth Rs7.5 million.
Police have also recorded a statement from Mir Raza’s fiancée. Investigators said they remained in contact until around 11:30pm, after which she allegedly made more than 40 unanswered calls and sent numerous messages expressing concern when she could no longer reach him.
According to investigators, Mir Raza also deleted his social media accounts, transferred Rs250,000 to his father’s bank account before leaving home, and discarded his mobile phone during the journey. The phone was later recovered after labourers working on University Road found it and investigators traced them.
The .30-bore pistol remains missing, although police said its holster was recovered.
Mir Raza’s family has strongly rejected the suicide theory, alleging he was abducted, tortured, burned and shot in a premeditated killing. They said his body bore signs of burn injuries, torture and marks around the neck consistent with strangulation, and questioned why he would have travelled to an isolated location if he had intended to take his own life.
The family also said they reached an allegedly illegal guest house in Gulistan-e-Jauhar while searching for him, believing it may hold important clues in the case.