NCCIA appoints new JIT officer in Mir Raza death case after objections

KARACHI: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has appointed Deputy Director Shehzad Akbar as a member of the joint investigation team (JIT) probing the murder of Mir Raza, following objections to the officer previously nominated by the agency, according to a report by ARY News.

The NCCIA has issued a letter to the Sindh Home Department nominating Shehzad Akbar as a member of the JIT investigating the case.

The agency will assist the JIT in examining technical and digital evidence, including mobile phone data, social media records and cryptocurrency-related evidence.

The NCCIA will provide technical support in analysing digital evidence using modern investigative techniques, while its nominated representative will assist the JIT in examining electronic evidence related to Mir Raza’s murder.

The change was made after Mir Raza’s father, Mir Hussain, approached the authorities seeking the replacement of the NCCIA officer previously nominated to the JIT investigating his son’s murder.

Mir Hussain said Arslan Manzoor was a capable officer but expressed his desire for another official to be appointed to the team.

He claimed that the nominated officer had been handling the case for the past two months and had been pursuing the suicide theory.

He emphasised that the JIT should include an officer who had not previously been involved in the investigation.

Mir Hussain said he wanted new officers to be nominated to ensure the investigation was conducted by individuals with no prior involvement in the case.