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Tag: FIA

  • FIA says no money was directly deposited into PM Shehbaz, Hamza’s accounts

    FIA says no money was directly deposited into PM Shehbaz, Hamza’s accounts

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) informed a special court in Lahore that no money was “directly deposited” into the bank accounts of Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and his son, Hamza Shehbaz, in a Rs16 billion money laundering case.

    On Tuesday, the court was told that PM Shehbaz could not appear due to official engagements and requested an exemption for a day. However, Hamza appeared in court.

    Answering questions raised by the judge today, FIA’s prosecutor informed the court that Malik Maqsood – the deceased key figure in the money laundering case – had been operating eight bank accounts and that all details had been mentioned in the challan submitted before the court.

    FIA’s prosecutor, Farooq Bajwa, further argued that the record shows that neither the amounts had ever been deposited nor withdrawn from PM Shehbaz Sharif or from his son Hamza’s bank accounts.

    Hamza’s counsel argued that there is no allegation of kickbacks on the accused persons. He added that the investigation was carried out before the political situation changed and the statements were recorded on political bases.

    Earlier this month, the FIA had given a clean chit to PM Shehbaz and Hamza Shehbaz in this case, saying there was no direct evidence against them in the case.

    The case:

    In 2021, FIA submitted a challan against Shehbaz and Hamza to the special court for their alleged involvement in laundering Rs16 billion in a sugar scam.

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

    At the time, FIA had said that the amount of Rs16 billion has nothing to do with the sugar business of Shehbaz’s family. The money allegedly received from the accounts of low-wage employees was transferred outside Pakistan, ultimately destined for the beneficial use of his family members.

  • Rana Sanaullah says that PTI Senator Saifullah Nyazee has been taken into ‘protective custody’

    Rana Sanaullah says that PTI Senator Saifullah Nyazee has been taken into ‘protective custody’

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee has been taken into “protective custody” by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for questioning in the party’s foreign funding case.

    In a press conference on Friday, the minister said, “He has been taken into protective custody, so he can be questioned.” He added that legal formalities will be fulfilled before arresting the senator if the agency deemed it necessary.

    Earlier, it was reported that the PTI senator was arrested in the foreign funding case. According to Geo News, he was arrested for the $625,000 transferred to the Insaf Trust account in 2013 in violation of rules and regulations.

    Prior to the minister’s clarification, FIA, in a tweet, said that no arrest has been made.

    “The senator has not been arrested by any FIA wing as yet,” the agency’s spokesperson said and condemned the reports circulating in the media.

    Earlier today, PTI leaders claimed Nyazee has been “picked up” by “unknown men” from outside the Senate premises in Islamabad.

    Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, PTI General Secretary Asad Umar said: “I have just received news that Saifullah Nyazee has been picked up from the Senate.”

    https://twitter.com/ShehzadGul89/status/1578290516856229893?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1578290516856229893%7Ctwgr%5Ecbcda1c3c0964b5c3947ce41901c263275373bea%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dawn.com%2Fnews%2F1713931

    Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry called Chairman of the Senate Sadiq Sanjrani to take notice of the incident.

    On September 13, the FIA Cyber Crime Wing raided Nyazee’s house. Two days later, Nyazee submitted a privilege motion against the Islamabad police and FIA over the breach of his privilege.

    He said the behaviour of the FIA and Islamabad police, including alleged harassment of his wife and daughters, was tantamount to the breach of privilege of the house of the federation and its member. Hence, the Senate chairman should take appropriate action on this breach.

  • FIA forms team to investigate Imran Khan’s audio leaks

    FIA forms team to investigate Imran Khan’s audio leaks

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has formed a team to investigate the matter of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and his aides’ audio leaks related to the infamous cipher that the former Prime Minister blames for his government’s downfall.

    A notification has also been issued which states that the investigation team will include five members from FIA and one member each from Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Military Intelligence (MI) and Intelligence Bureau (IB).

    On October 1, the federal cabinet announced the formation of a committee to probe the diplomatic cipher that it was said had been ‘stolen’ from the records of the Prime Minister’s House.

    Last week, two audio leaks of Khan and his party members surfaced on the internet. In the first audio leak, Khan told his then-principal secretary Azam Khan that, “We have to play with it [cipher]”.

    In the second audio leak, the PTI chief is directing his close aides not to take America’s name while talking about the US cipher in public. He also told his party members to use the word “letter” instead of “cipher” when they talk about cipher in public rallies.

  • ‘Not liable to answer or provide information to you,’ Khan tells FIA

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday (August 17) asked the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to take back the notice sent to him in the prohibited funding case in two days, further stating that he would take legal action against the organisation.

    “Neither am I liable to answer to you nor is it liable on me to provide information to you. If notice is not taken back in two days, then I will take legal action against you,” said Khan to FIA.

    “ECP [Election Commission of Pakistan] did not give a decision but issued a report. ECP cannot order FIA or any other organisation based on this report,” said the PTI chief. He added that the FIA does not have the authority to act under the Political Parties Order 2002.

    “The notice issued is also contrary to the FIA Act. Supreme Court has declared the ECP as an administrative institution in several decisions,” said Khan, adding that the ECP is neither a court nor a tribunal.

    FIA sought records from Khan regarding the total funds provided to PTI by national and international companies, and business firms.

  • ‘Your value is not more than an SHO of Kohsar police station’: Fawad Chaudhry lashes out at Rana Sanaullah

    ‘Your value is not more than an SHO of Kohsar police station’: Fawad Chaudhry lashes out at Rana Sanaullah

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on August 7 said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) announcement to hold public gatherings across the country was a mere “political stunt”, adding that PTI Chairman Imran Khan was trying to divert attention from his theft.

    The interior minister said that the PTI is allowed to stage a public gathering at the Parade Ground.

    “Whoever will not cooperate with the FIA relating to an inquiry into the prohibited funding case [against PTI] will be arrested,” warned the interior minister.

    Reacting to Sanaullah’s statement, former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry advised the interior minister to be careful while giving remarks about PTI’s leadership.

    “Your value is not more than an SHO of the Kohsar Police Station,” Chaudhry told Sanaullah as the ruling PML-N has no government in any province of the country.

    On Saturday, the PTI’s political committee decided to hold a power show in Islamabad on August 13.

  • 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.