Tag: Federal Investigation agency

  • FIA directed to identify and suspend officials involved in overbilling electricity consumers

    FIA directed to identify and suspend officials involved in overbilling electricity consumers

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced stringent measures against officials responsible for overcharging electricity consumers.

    During a meeting in Islamabad on Saturday, attended by Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Leghari, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, and other relevant officials, the Prime Minister directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to identify and suspend such officials.

    He emphasised that these actions will not be tolerated, labelling the perpetrators as “enemies of the people.”

    In the same session, the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) revealed that the circular debt in the power sector had soared to Rs2,655 billion by May 2024.

    The committee, chaired by Prime Minister Sharif, approved the creation of a support unit aimed at enhancing the efficiency of electricity distribution companies (DISCOs), curbing electricity theft, and ensuring timely bill collection.

    This support unit, which will operate for two years after receiving federal cabinet approval, will begin its work with the Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO).

    The government’s initiatives aim to address systemic issues in the power sector, thereby alleviating financial pressures and improving service delivery.

  • Crackdown begins on anti-state content on social media

    Crackdown begins on anti-state content on social media

    A crackdown has been launched against people sharing anti-state content on social media. So far, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested two suspects from Rawalpindi.

    The FIA inquiry is aimed at people involved in propaganda against Pakistan’s military institutions and important personalities.

    FIA teams conducted raids at various locations in Rawalpindi and arrested two suspects, stating that the accused were involved in spreading fabricated and fake news against the armed forces.

    Among the arrested suspects are Yasir Arafat and Irfan Abbas who were taken into custody from Rawat and Gujar Khan areas.

  • Nationwide crackdown launched against electricity and gas theft

    Nationwide crackdown launched against electricity and gas theft

    Pakistan authorities have issued a directive to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to launch a comprehensive operation targeting electricity and gas theft nationwide.

    Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced the commencement of this initiative via social media platform X on Thursday, stating, “Starting today, the FIA launches a massive crackdown against electricity and gas theft across the nation.”

    Minister Naqvi said that no individual or entity will be exempt from scrutiny. Those found responsible will face legal repercussions.

    Describing the initiative as a proactive measure, the minister highlighted its objective of combating the prevalent theft of essential utilities, thereby ensuring equitable distribution and access for all citizens.

    Electricity theft remains a significant challenge in Pakistan, manifesting through illegal connections, meter tampering, and non-payment of bills.

    Current estimates depict substantial annual losses in revenue, amounting to billions of rupees, due to this illicit activity.

    These losses not only strain the financial resources of energy providers but also contribute to frequent power outages.

    Similarly, gas theft poses a formidable concern, with illegal connections and meter tampering being common methods employed to siphon natural gas unlawfully.

    This illicit practice not only results in revenue losses for gas distribution companies but also poses safety hazards. Unauthorised diversion of gas leads to supply shortages, impacting both domestic and industrial consumers.

    Recognising the urgency of the situation, the interim government initiated a significant crackdown last year to address the escalating issue of power theft and to enforce stringent measures against those involved in such activities.

  • Three suspects involved in online sexual harassment arrested

    Three suspects involved in online sexual harassment arrested

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested three suspects involved in online sexual harassment from Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

    According to a spokesperson of FIA, the men, identified as Muhammad Umar, Muhammad Javed and Jibran Khan, have been arrested from different areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

    The spokesperson said the accused have been found involved in sharing pictures and videos of the affected women on social media.

    The accused also kept demanding money under threat of sharing objectionable material.

    The spokesperson further says that investigation has been initiated with the arrested accused.

    Mobile phones and objectionable materials have been recovered from the accused.

  • Massive data breach: 2.2 million Pakistani citizens’ personal information for sale online

    Massive data breach: 2.2 million Pakistani citizens’ personal information for sale online

    According to a report from Geo News, the personal data of 2.2 million Pakistani citizens has been compromised and put up for sale online. This breach occurred when hackers gained unauthorised access to a private company-made database that is utilised by hundreds of restaurants. 

    The hackers have even gone so far as to display some citizens’ data as samples in their online sale advertisement. In their claim, the hackers asserted, “We have hacked the databases of over 250 restaurants,” and they listed numerous food outlets. 

    The compromised citizen data includes contact numbers and credit card details. The affected software is widely used by many restaurants across the country. Furthermore, details such as the number of transactions and the amounts paid by citizens are available for purchase online. 

    The hackers are demanding 2 Bitcoins in exchange for the compromised citizen data, which equates to approximately $54,000, considering that one Bitcoin is valued at $27,000 based on market sources. In Pakistani rupees, this amounts to over Rs15 million. 

    As of now, the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FBR) cybercrime circle has not received any complaints regarding this incident. 

    It is worth noting that the federal government recently issued a directive advising all information technology (IT) and financial institutions, including regulators, to avoid collaborating with, installing, or using Indian-origin artificial intelligence (AI) and information and communication technology (ICT) products.  

    This advisory was issued due to concerns that these products could pose a constant, concealed, and force multiplier threat to Pakistan’s critical information infrastructure (CII). 

    The government shared this cybersecurity advisory with federal and provincial ministries and sectoral regulators. The advisory highlighted that globally, AI products and services are widely employed by various industries, including the financial and banking sectors, to accelerate their growth. 

    The document also noted that the fintech sector in Pakistan, along with some banks, was engaged with Indian-origin companies that offered IT products, cybersecurity solutions, and AI solutions.  

    The use of Indian security products and solutions was considered a potential threat to Pakistan’s CII, particularly the banking sector, due to the possibility of backdoors or malware collecting logs, data traffic analysis, and personal identifiable information (PII).  

    Additionally, it pointed out the risk of direct Indian ingress into Pakistan’s CII through technical means and access control with passive monitoring capability. 

  • Nearly 1,000 smartphones and high-tech gadgets seized by Customs at Faisalabad Airport

    Nearly 1,000 smartphones and high-tech gadgets seized by Customs at Faisalabad Airport

    According to reliable sources, customs officials at Faisalabad Airport recently intercepted a significant shipment of smuggled smartphones, drone cameras, and related accessories valued at millions of currency units. This operation led to the arrest of three suspected smugglers upon their arrival from Sharjah to Faisalabad.

    During the inspection of the passengers’ luggage, the customs officials discovered and seized 971 smartphones, 78 iPods, a drone camera, and gaming hardware concealed cleverly within their bags and shoppers.

    In a separate incident at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) apprehended a passenger named Abdul Razzaq, who had just returned from the UAE. The FIA spokesperson disclosed that the accused, Abdul Razzaq, was a wanted criminal in Punjab, specifically in connection with a murder case. Subsequently, the FIA handed over the suspect to the local police for further legal proceedings.

    Moreover, a few days prior to this incident, customs officials successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle iPhones at Sialkot Airport. The authorities seized 30 smuggled iPhones worth nearly Rs100 million from a passenger named Adeel, who had arrived from Sharjah on flight number PK-210. Notably, the accused, Adeel, was identified as an employee of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). Investigations revealed that he was involved in the distribution of smuggled smartphones to Karachi and Lahore.

    Additionally, the customs officials disclosed that the accused PIA flight steward, Adeel, had an accomplice named Ali Ahmed, who was also part of the smartphone smuggling operation. Both individuals were employed by PIA.

    These actions by customs officials and law enforcement agencies demonstrate their commitment to curbing smuggling activities and ensuring the safety and security of the nation.

  • Refugees, migrants return home after boat tragedy, file cases against traffickers

    Refugees, migrants return home after boat tragedy, file cases against traffickers

    After the migrant boat disaster that occurred off the coast of Greece earlier in June, claiming the lives of over 300 Pakistani immigrants, around 40-50 Pakistanis that were initially waiting in Libya to set sail for Italy are now returning home.

    According to reports by Dawn, these illegal immigrants had paid at least PKR 2.5 million each to different human traffickers and their agents, in order to reach Europe via sea travel. However, last month’s horrific tragedy has prompted many to return home to Pakistan. 

    Upon their return, complaints were lodged against the human traffickers in order to reclaim the astronomical amounts paid. According to the Station House officer of Gujrat Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) police station, Irtaza Ansar Warraich, 125 cases have been filed in the last four weeks in connection to the boat tragedy. Of these complainants, those recently returning from Libya are also included.

    Most of the returning immigrants are residents of Gujrat and Mandi Bahauddin, as reported by a local senior official of the FIA in a conversation with Dawn. 

    According to one of the last total 12 Pakistani nationals who survived the boat tragedy, Usman Siddique, there is allegedly 20,000 illegal immigrants who are at human trafficker safe houses in Libya, waiting for their turn to travel to Europe.

    Officer Warraich also told Dawn that, since the boat disaster, at least 35 suspects involved in illegal human trafficking have been arrested, including notorious trafficker Muhammad Saleem Suniara. 

    Suniara had nine cases registered against him in FIA’s Gujrat circle alone. He is also accused of sending money via hundi to his brother Asif Suniara, who is the main person accused in the migrant boat tragedy.

    According to Aaj News, Asif is allegedly hiding in Libya currently and still operating safe houses containing migrants waiting to be moved to Europe.

  • Female bank manager resigns after stealing Rs20 million from customer’s account

    Female bank manager resigns after stealing Rs20 million from customer’s account

    A recent case of embezzlement has come to light where a woman, who was the branch manager of a private bank in Islamabad, has resigned from her position following allegations of theft of an amount of Rs20 million from a customer.

    The incident prompted the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to take immediate action by registering a case against the accused under Section 420.

    According to the First Information Report (FIR), the accused manager allegedly committed the crime by fraudulently withdrawing Rs20 million from the customer’s account without their knowledge.

    The customer only became aware of the transaction after receiving a notification of the significant deduction from their account. The manager, in a bid to cover her tracks, presented a fake bank statement to the customer, assuring them that there was nothing to worry about.

    According to 24 News, the FIA has taken a serious note of the matter and has included several sections, including 409, 419, 468, 471, and 489F, in the FIR to ensure that justice is served. The accused will be thoroughly investigated, and all evidence will be scrutinized to bring the perpetrator to justice.

    This incident highlights the need for caution and vigilance when it comes to financial transactions. Even trusted officials can abuse their power for personal gain, and it is crucial to remain alert and report any suspicious activity.

  • ‘Naked fascism’: Khan condemns repeated police raids on Pervaiz Elahi’s home

    ‘Naked fascism’: Khan condemns repeated police raids on Pervaiz Elahi’s home

    Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, has condemned continuous police raids at former Chief Minister Perviaz Elahi’s home.

    “Strongly condemn the repeated police raids on Pervez Elahi’s home in Gujrat as well as arbitrary arrests & abductions of his supporters & those who worked with him.”

    “This is naked fascism on the part of Imported Govt & their Handlers, simply to spread fear in all who support us,” added Khan.

    “Just to remind, arrests of & actions ag Sharifs & others during our govt, were a result of NAB cases with over 95% filed before we were voted into power & of the int Panama revelations. While in custody they were given VIP treatment. But what they wanted was NRO which we refused,” tweeted Khan.

    ‘Bhatti may be subject to forcible disappearance’: Pervaiz Elahi concerned about Secretary’s arrest

    Punjab Assembly Secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti was arrested in Sindh on Monday.

    According to news reports, his house in Gujranwala was also raided by police, and a domestic employee was arrested on the same day.

    The news report stated that Bhatti was wanted by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in different cases.

    Former Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi expressed fears that Bhatti may be subject to forcible disappearance.

    In a statement Elahi said, “The way our legal advisor Amir Saeed Ran remains missing, he too may be subject to disappearance.”

    “What kind of message is being sent if officers from Punjab start disappearing from Sindh?” he asked.

    Meanwhile, Moonis Elahi tweeted, “Police , FIA and others again at Kunjah House . They keep raiding without warrant. By raiding our house you think you will make us leave @ImranKhanPTI . Think again!!”

  • ‘Meray dost ko 2 Vigo daalay utha ke le gaye’: Moonis Elahi

    ‘Meray dost ko 2 Vigo daalay utha ke le gaye’: Moonis Elahi

    Pakistan Muslim League- Quaid (PML-Q) leader Moonis Elahi took to Twitter on January 7 to inform his followers that friend was kidnapped by two Vigo pick up trucks in Lahore.

    Moonis further wrote that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is swearing that it is not involved in any way.

    “Now after a few days suddenly the FIA will be delivered and they will be forced to register an First Information Report (FIR),” tweeted Moonis.

    Moonis Elahi, the son of Punjab’s Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi, is considered to be quite close to Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), PML-Q’s collation partner in the Punjab government.