Tag: FIA

  • FIA constitutes team to probe social media campaign after Balochistan helicopter crash

    FIA constitutes team to probe social media campaign after Balochistan helicopter crash

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has constituted a team to probe those running a negative social media campaign after the tragic incident of an army helicopter crash while carrying out flood relief operations in Balochistan. Six military personnel were martyred in the tragic incident.

    On Sunday, August 7, the FIA constituted a four-member team and tasked it with pointing out, arresting, and taking legal action against those involved in running a negative social media campaign on the tragic incident of the helicopter crash.

    “Belittling & ridiculing the sacrifices of our martyrs was horrifying,” said Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif.

    “This is what self-righteous political narratives do: they poison the minds of the youth & weaponise hate speech. Which way are we headed? The moment calls for a deep reflection,” tweeted the PM.

    The military’s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Friday, August 5, condemned a social media campaign after the tragic Pakistan Army helicopter crash in Balochistan.

    “The regretful social media campaign after the unfortunate helicopter crash on August 1 has caused deep anguish and distress among Shuhada families and rank and file of the armed forces,” said the ISPR.

    “While the whole nation stood with the institution in this difficult time, certain insensitive quarters resorted to hurtful and derogatory comments on social media, which is unacceptable and highly condemnable,” said Director General (DG) ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar.

    Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Naya Pakistan’, DG ISPR emphasised that this should not happen and that the elements spreading negative propaganda and rumours should be rejected.

    “Insensitive behaviour is unacceptable and should be condemned at every platform,” added DG ISPR.

    “We have been distressed since the accident on August 1. The propaganda has caused immense pain, particularly to the families of the martyrs.”

  • Sheikh Rasheed to appear before anti-corruption department tomorrow

    Sheikh Rasheed to appear before anti-corruption department tomorrow

    The Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) summoned former interior minister and Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed in a corruption case tomorrow (Friday).

    The accusations against him are that he embezzled millions of rupees on account of fees in the sale of state land to Life Residencia Islamabad Housing Society. In this regard, ACE also summoned the management of the housing society.

    According to Dawn, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader has claimed that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif has a personal grudge against Rasheed. The leader didn’t comment on ACE inquiry but he said that “he [Rasheed] is among those the Sharifs are not going to spare as long they are in power”.

    Earlier, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) filed a Rs720 million laundering case against Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Moonis Elahi.

    At the time, the PML-Q leader alleged that he was being pressurised by the PML-N. He said, “The PML-N is at a loss to understand that it can pressure me to change my loyalty towards former premier and PTI chairman Imran Khan. We will not abandon Khan, come what may.”

  • FIA arrests gang teaching black magic on social media

    FIA arrests gang teaching black magic on social media

    The crime wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested a gang involved in teaching black magic on social media, Malik Tahseen Raza reports for Dawn.

    According to the FIA, the suspects offered customers entire black magic training on YouTube channels and other social media sites in exchange for millions of rupees. People who were interested were instructed to spend a specific sum of money to have access to premium videos and to purchase ‘wands’, ‘owl blood’ and ‘owl meat’ to engage in witchcraft. The gang also offered their assistance in resolving individuals’ issues via these spiritual avenues.

    One of these channels acquired more than 200,000 followers by teaching easy techniques for learning how to find deposits of gold. People who wanted children and those having difficulty finding love and marriage were their top clients. The suspects occasionally made money by taking pictures and videos of their female clients and later blackmailing them.

    The FIA filed a case against the suspects in accordance with Sections 419, 420, 468, and 471 of the Pakistan Penal Code, Sections 3, 4 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act and 4, 17 and 21 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016.

  • Mumbai attacks’ alleged mastermind arrested by FIA

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested suspect Sajid Mir with the help of law enforcement agencies, in the investigation of the Mumbai attacks, reports Wajahat S. Khan for Nikkie Asia.

    “According to the FBI, Mir allegedly served as the chief planner of the [Mumbai] attacks, directing preparations and reconnaissance, and was one of the Pakistan-based controllers during the attacks,” writes Wajahat.

    The deputy foreign minister, Hina Rabbani Khar, told Nikkei Asia that she would not comment on this particular case. Senior police officials and investigators from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), also did not comment on the arrest but did not deny it.

    The United States (US) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had placed Mir on its most-wanted criminal list. It offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his arrest.

    Mir is allegedly the mastermind behind the Mumbai attacks. Rumours of his death had persisted for a long time.

  • PML-Q’s Moonis Elahi gets interim bail in Rs720 million money laundering case

    PML-Q’s Moonis Elahi gets interim bail in Rs720 million money laundering case

    Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Moonis Elahi has been granted interim bail till July 4 by a banking court in a Rs720 million money laundering case against him, which was filed by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

    The court has reportedly asked FIA to submit the record of the case and barred the agency from arresting Elahi till July 4. Moreover, it has directed Moonis to submit Rs500,000 as a surety against the bail.

    In the bail petition, Elahi argued that the money laundering case against him is politically motivated, maintaining that he is innocent.

    “The proceedings have been initiated to harass and blackmail the petitioner and his family so as to muffle their voice against the government of the day,” the petition stated.

    Terming the First Information Report (FIR) against Elahi “illegal and without lawful authority”, the petition further stated the case has no connection with matters concerning the federal government. Similarly, it stated that the FIA “does not have the jurisdiction to proceed in such matters”.

    In the petition, it is said that no evidence on record proved an offence that could be registered under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010, and other sections. Furthermore, the petition underlined that the case against Elahi was registered without him “being summoned” or sent a notice after the completion of the inquiry.

    Earlier, the FIA booked Moonis, Punjab Assembly (PA) Secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti, and others on charges of money laundering.

    What is the case?

    According to the FIA’s FIR, the case against Elahi was registered in which the state has been named as the complainant. The agency said that it has “solid evidence” against the PML-Q leader.

    According to the FIR, proceedings against Moonis under the Money Laundering Act started during former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s tenure. Last year, Khan had tasked the FIA to investigate the sugar crisis throughout the country and find out who benefitted from it.

    Following this, the FIA released a report claiming that some of Khan’s own party members and Moonis were among those who had allegedly gained from the sugar crisis in Pakistan.

  • Rs720 million money laundering case: Moonis Elahi appears before FIA

    Rs720 million money laundering case: Moonis Elahi appears before FIA

    Former Federal Minister for Water Resources Moonis Elahi appeared before the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) after the agency filed a Rs720 million money laundering case against him.

    After his appearance, the former federal minister said the FIA gave him a questionnaire, claiming that its “purpose” was not to conduct an investigation but to arrest him.

    “The government did all this so attention could be diverted from the budget in the Punjab Assembly. If I tell the PML-N today that we will support you, all cases will end,” the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader further said.

    He added that all information regarding his finances is available in his tax returns. According to Moonis Elahi, the FIA has not issued a notice till date but he would appear again if summoned.

    The investigation agency also arrested two of Elahi’s close associates – Nawaz Bhatti and Mazhar Iqbal – on the charges that both of them used to facilitate Elahi to embezzle money.

    After the case was filed, Moonis rushed to the FIA’s office on Wednesday night but he was told to appear the next morning.

    Prior to this, a special central court in Lahore dismissed Elahi’s pre-arrest bail plea in this case.

    ‘Will not abandon Imran Khan’: Moonis Elahi

    When the case was registered earlier, Moonis denied receiving any notice. He said, “I would have come to the FIA office if I had received the notice. I came to know about the FIR from the media. They have skipped a legal step.”

    Moonis said that he is coming to Lahore to appear before the FIA and they can arrest him if they want to.

    “The PML-N is at a loss to understand that it can pressure me to change my loyalty towards former premier and PTI chairman Imran Khan. We will not abandon Khan, come what may,” he said.

    Moonis added that he never heard of the two other persons named in the FIR. However, he admitted to investing in the Rahim Yar Khan (RYK) Sugar Mills, calling it his “declared investment”.

    What is the case?

    According to the FIA’s First Information Report (FIR), the case against Elahi was registered on Tuesday in which the state has been named as the complainant. The agency said that it has “solid evidence” against the PML-Q leader.

    According to media outlets, the FIA was also investigating suspicious transactions worth Rs250 million involving the PML-Q leader’s sugar mills. Moonis is a shareholder in Alliance Sugar Mills.

    According to the FIR, proceedings against Moonis under the Money Laundering Act started during former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s tenure. Last year, Khan had tasked the FIA to investigate the sugar crisis throughout the country and find out who benefitted from it.

    Following this, FIA released a report claiming that some of Khan’s own party members and Moonis were among those who had allegedly gained from the sugar crisis in Pakistan.

  • ‘Why would I harm my family business’?: PM Shehbaz, CM Hamza get pre-arrest bails

    A special court in Lahore granted pre-arrest bails to Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and his son Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shehbaz in a Rs16 billion money laundering case registered against them by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

    The court asked both PM Shehbaz and CM Hamza to pay Rs1 million in surety bonds, each within seven days.

    Both the PM and his son CM Hamza appeared before the court on Saturday.

    During the hearing, the court asked Shehbaz if he has no ownership of Ashiana Housing Scheme and Ramzan Sugar Mills, to which the PM replied, “I have no stake in either.”

    PM Shehbaz asked: “Why would I engage in corruption and money laundering and harm the family business?”

    He said the Federal Investigative Agency (FIA) was provided with all the facts verbally. “I faced countless hearings and trials. The FIA was admonished for not presenting a challan. I believe the FIA was preparing for an arrest, hence the challan was delayed,” he added.

    “The entire case is built on lies and will be buried,” PM Shehbaz further said during the hearing.

    PM Shehbaz’s attorney Amjad Pervez stated that the fact that both of them [Shehbaz and Hamza] had previously been interrogated in jail by the FIA was sufficient proof for their bail.

    He said, “The case has been ongoing for more than a year and now we discover that the suspects were not made part of the inquiry.”

    Last year, the FIA submitted a challan against Shehbaz and Hamza to the special court for their alleged involvement in a money laundering case.

    The report said that the amount was kept in “hidden accounts” and “given to Shehbaz in a personal capacity”.

  • FIA Cyber Crime Wing arrests two Pakistanis involved in ‘secretly filming women in Turkey’

    FIA Cyber Crime Wing arrests two Pakistanis involved in ‘secretly filming women in Turkey’

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested two Pakistanis involved in criminal activities in Turkey.

    The two accused — Muhammad Junaid and Ameer Khan — were arrested during two separate operations. They are allegedly involved in ‘transportation of illegal immigrants’ and secretly filming and sharing videos of Turkish women on social media.

    “Their criminal act created an uproar and anger in the Turkish society and severely damaged goodwill which Turkish people have for their Pakistani brethren,” the FIA statement added.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also taken notice and ordered strict action against the accused. The statement further added that a crackdown has been launched against all agents involved in trafficking.

    “Pakistani Perverts” and “Pakistani Get Out” hashtags trended on Turkish social media in April after videos of Turkish women made by Pakistanis were shared on social media.

    Read more- Fact check: Has Turkey tightened visa policy for Pakistanis?

  • Supreme Court bars transfers, appointments in high-profile cases

    Supreme Court bars transfers, appointments in high-profile cases

    The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) is barring authorities from making new appointments and transferring officials involved in “high-profile” and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) cases as well as those cases which are being heard by special courts, reports Dawn.

    The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) observed that special courts in Karachi and Lahore lack judges while three accountability courts in Islamabad are also empty.

    The court issued notices to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) director general, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman and the interior secretary. The court asked the parties concerned to give an explanation as to why there was “interference” in criminal cases, and stopped the NAB and FIA from withdrawing cases till further orders.

    The court also asked to be informed about the steps being taken to protect the record of criminal cases and directed for the record of high-profile cases to be checked and sealed. When Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Ashtar Ausaf protested against this, the CJP said that the record of ongoing cases would not be sealed, only that of the prosecution.

    During the hearing, the CJP also observed that there should be “no interference in the prosecution process or the prosecution wing”.

    The CJP also noticed that FIA’s former director Mohammad Rizwan, who was probing money laundering charges against Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and his son Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shahbaz, was also transferred and later died of a heart attack.

    “We are concerned over these developments,” the CJP said. Justice Bandial, indirectly pointing out at Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) also stated that according to news reports, “thousands” of people had benefitted after their names were removed from the no-fly list.

    At one point, CJP Bandial remarked that the court was only concerned with ensuring justice and adjourned the hearing till May 27.

  • FIA terms withdrawal of cases against Shehbaz, Hamza ‘fake news’

    FIA terms withdrawal of cases against Shehbaz, Hamza ‘fake news’

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Thursday termed the news story related to the withdrawal of cases against Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and his son Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shehbaz and others as “fake news”.

    In a statement, the FIA said that it had registered the case and it has not been withdrawn. The investigating agency further said that the proceedings are continuing in the court, with the next hearing scheduled for May 14.

    “Hence, it is fake news. FIA may legally proceed against the persons involved in spreading this fake news,” said the FIA spokesperson.

    The FIA said that on April 11, the prosecutor had submitted his opinion-based application in the court regarding a change of the prosecutor wherein he was instructed not to appear on behalf of the prosecution.

    It added that the prosecutor had alleged that the director-general of the FIA, via the investigation officer, had asked him not to appear before the court, adding that “it was not a withdrawal application anyway”.

    “On 11-04-2022, Mr Sanaullah Abbasi was the DG FIA. At the time of submission of the application, the new PM had not yet taken the oath. Tahir Rai was posted as DG FIA on 22-04-2022. This matter pertains to the timing before his arrival in FIA,” said the FIA.

    The agency said that the “change of prosecutor is a routine matter” and added that the government lawyer was also changed several times during the PTI government.

    “It is requested that fake news may not be spread in this matter,” said the FIA spokesperson.

    On the last hearing, the FIA’s special court issued an order that it will indict PM Shehbaz and CM Punjab Hamza.