CCTV maps Wafflix owner’s final hours

Fresh CCTV footage has provided investigators with a crucial timeline in the mysterious death of Wafflix owner Mir Raza Ali, as police continue to examine whether the young entrepreneur was murdered or died by suicide.

The newly obtained footage shows Mir Raza Ali, a resident of PECHS Society Block 2, leaving his waffle shop near Bahadurabad at around 3:30am on July 28 after taking a .30-bore pistol belonging to the shop’s security guard from a drawer. He then drove home, where investigators say he left behind his car, smartwatch, house keys and Rs39,000 before booking an online taxi.

According to the investigation, Mir Raza left his residence at 4:08am and travelled to Gulistan-e-Jauhar. His mobile phone was switched off near Johar Mor Hilltop at approximately 4:22am, and he was dropped in Gulistan-e-Jauhar Block 2 at around 4:28am. CCTV footage reportedly shows him walking alone after getting out of the taxi.

Investigators say they have gathered several important pieces of evidence and are close to determining the motive behind the case. However, police officials remain cautious and say no final conclusion will be drawn until all forensic and investigative evidence has been reviewed.

Police sources told The Express Tribune that Mir Raza was involved not only in the waffle business but also in digital currency trading. According to investigators, he had managed investments for several individuals and regularly paid returns to investors before his business allegedly suffered heavy losses beginning in December 2025, with significant setbacks reported in April this year.

Investigators believe the financial losses left him with debts estimated between Rs50 million and Rs80 million. Police say he had contacted several people to arrange funds, including requests for large investments, on the night before his disappearance. Authorities are also examining financial transactions, including an overseas investment reportedly worth Rs7.5 million.

Police have also recorded the statement of Mir Raza’s fiancée. According to investigators, the two remained in contact until around 11:30pm on July 28. She reportedly attempted to reach him again around 3:00am, making more than 40 calls and sending numerous messages over the next 20 minutes, none of which were answered. Investigators say some of her messages reflected concern over his safety.

Investigators further claim that Mir Raza had deleted his social media accounts before leaving home and transferred Rs250,000 to his father’s bank account. Police also say he discarded his mobile phone during his journey. The handset was later recovered after three labourers working on University Road found it and investigators traced them.

The .30-bore pistol allegedly taken from the shop remains missing, although police say its holster was recovered from the scene. Despite these developments, police insist that both murder and suicide remain under investigation.

Mir Raza’s parents, however, strongly reject the possibility of suicide. Speaking to The Express Tribune, they alleged that their son was subjected to severe torture, burned and then shot as part of a premeditated murder.

They claimed his body bore visible signs of torture and burn injuries, his clothes were partially burnt, and there were marks around his neck consistent with strangulation. They further alleged that one of his hands was tightly clenched around a piece of rope and that his fingers appeared burned, raising suspicions that someone may have attempted to destroy forensic evidence.

The family also questioned why, if Mir Raza had intended to take his own life, he would have travelled several kilometres to an isolated area instead of remaining at his home, workplace or inside his vehicle.

According to the parents, they were searching for their son when they reached an allegedly illegal guest house in Gulistan-e-Jauhar.