Are Pakistan’s NCCIA Officers Facing Charges of Bribery and Extortion?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Corruption in law enforcement raises serious concerns.
- The FIA is actively investigating claims of abuse of power.
- Victims reported alarming tactics of coercion and extortion.
- Transparency and accountability are crucial for public trust.
- The case highlights the importance of integrity within law enforcement agencies.
New Delhi, Jan 24 (NationPress) The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Pakistan's Composite Circle has initiated legal proceedings against three of its own officers and their associates over allegations of corruption, bribery, extortion, and abuse of authority.
The suspects were apprehended following the emergence of a corruption scandal involving the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Gujranwala.
Reports indicate that the NCCIA allegedly released individuals implicated in online fraud cases after accepting bribes amounting to millions of rupees, according to the Express Tribune.
In response to intelligence agency reports and a citizen's complaint, the FIA commenced an investigation and filed a First Information Report (FIR).
The FIR details a complaint made by Muzammil Iqbal, a resident of Garden Town, Gujranwala, who claimed he received information regarding certain officers from the FIA Cyber Crime Wing extracting large sums of money from suspects with assistance from private associates.
On February 2, 2025, unidentified individuals entered Iqbal's residence, claimed to be FIA officials, held his family members hostage, confiscated mobile phones, and subjected male family members to torture before blindfolding them and confining them to a room.
According to Iqbal, 15 mobile phones, a laptop, a vehicle, cash, and ATM cards were seized, and his family was interrogated about online business operations and cryptocurrency at the FIA Cyber Crime office.
The victims were pressured to pay substantial amounts in cash, cryptocurrency, and through bank transactions at various times, with further payments demanded to evade legal consequences, as stated in the FIR.
Some items were returned later, but cash and one mobile phone remained unreturned.
Another victim, Salman Raza, reported that his family was abducted, tortured, and a demand of Rs 50 million was made.
Muzammil Iqbal asserted that after negotiations with FIA personnel, a 'deal' was struck for Rs 30 million, of which Rs 3 million was paid in cash and approximately Rs 1.5 million through bank and ATM transactions prior to their release.