By Urdu Report Editorial Team
Online taxi driver Ehsanullah, who gave evidence in the Mir Raza murder case, has been left homeless and without work following the incident.
Appearing before the judicial commission, Ehsanullah said his landlord evicted him, while the company he worked for took back the vehicle he used for driving.
Ehsanullah told the commission that he had driven Mir Raza in his vehicle. Raza initially provided a location in Gulistan-e-Johar but later changed the route and asked the driver to speed up.
The driver also submitted a map of the route toward Gulistan-e-Johar before the commission. He said Raza told him to stop looking at the map, drive faster and follow the route he would explain himself.
Mir Raza was dropped at 4:28am
According to Ehsanullah, the road was empty and Mir Raza had connected his mobile phone to the vehicle and was playing songs at a high volume.
He said Raza asked him to drive faster. Ehsanullah told the commission that he dropped Raza at 4:28am and then accepted another ride nearby.
The commission also asked whether Raza had received or made any phone calls during the journey. Ehsanullah said there was no call, although Raza was using his mobile phone.
He added that he had tobacco in his mouth at the time and therefore could not speak.
Driver says he lost both his home and livelihood
Ehsanullah said his landlord removed him from the house after the incident. He is currently forced to stay at Ferozabad police station, according to his statement.
He also said the company he drove for took back the vehicle. The company told him that neither the vehicle nor his work would be restored until the matter was resolved.
Ehsanullah told the commission that he was a poor man whose earnings supported his household.
Ehsanullah says he supported Mir Raza’s family
Ehsanullah said that after learning about the incident, he went to Mir Raza’s family to share their grief. He said he reached the house with two religious scholars to offer prayers.
He also told Mir Raza’s father that he would always be available if the family needed any help.
After his statement was recorded before the commission, a lawyer offered Ehsanullah a job at the court premises.
Ehsanullah also provided the commission with the location map of his route and details of the journey. He appeared as a witness and cooperated with Mir Raza’s family.
Judicial commission expresses concern
The judicial commission expressed concern over Ehsanullah’s situation.
In its written order, the commission said Ehsanullah was neither a suspect nor an accused in the case. It described him as a responsible citizen who had helped the family while Mir Raza was being searched for.
The commission said it was deeply regrettable that a person who had offered assistance was being treated like an accused. It said he appeared to be facing consequences for telling the truth and showing humanity.
The commission directed investigating officer DSP Siraj Lashari to contact the company management and the landlord and address their fears and concerns.
He was also directed to assure both parties that the driver would not face any coercive or unjust action merely because he was part of the investigation.
Next hearing scheduled for September 7
According to the written order, statements by Ahmed, Abdullah, driver Ehsanullah and DSP Arshad Afridi were recorded during the previous hearing.
Ahmed also promised to submit notices from the Sindh Revenue Board and receipts from an online delivery application.
Due to a lack of time, Haitham, Raziq and SHO Adil Afzal were directed to appear at the next hearing. Notices were also issued to Gulistan-e-Johar SHO Kamran Qureshi and court clerk Zeeshan.
The judicial commission’s next session will be held on September 7 at 11am.
