PTBP Web Desk
Allegations of widespread corruption and extortion within Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) dominated the Senate Standing Committee on Interior on Tuesday, raising urgent questions about the agency’s accountability and internal oversight. Senators brought forward shocking claims that FIA officials allegedly demanded Rs 10 crore from the wife of prominent YouTuber Saad ur Rehman, popularly known as Ducky Bhai.
The allegations, presented before the committee, highlighted a broader pattern of misconduct that has significantly undermined public trust in the FIA, particularly concerning its handling of high-profile investigations and the growing backlog of pending cases.
The Senate Standing Committee session, chaired by Senator Shahadat Awan at Parliament House, was convened to interrogate FIA officials in light of recent public complaints. Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry and Director General of FIA’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) were present to brief the committee on ongoing investigations and actions taken.
The DG FIA updated the senators on follow-ups from the November 6 meeting, including arrests linked to a separate fraud case involving Senator Falak Naz Chitrali. Despite these actions, members of the committee expressed alarm over the “unprecedented” rise in pending NCCIA cases, suggesting systemic inefficiencies and potential mismanagement within the agency.
Senator Palwasha Muhammad Zai Khan delivered the session’s most startling disclosure. She revealed that one of her colleagues had been approached for money “in the name of Mehdi Shah,” highlighting the persistence of extortion practices. She specifically emphasized that the Rs 10 crore demand from a YouTuber’s family member underscores the alarming scale of corruption within the FIA.
Senator Saifullah Abro echoed these concerns, alleging that certain FIA officials had amassed assets worth billions of rupees within just a year, raising serious questions about the agency’s internal controls and accountability mechanisms.
In response to the allegations, some committee members proposed forming a subcommittee to identify the officials involved in the misconduct. However, Chairman Awan rejected this suggestion, directing instead that the investigation report on the implicated FIA officials be completed urgently and submitted to the committee. This directive signals the Senate’s insistence on a swift and thorough review of the allegations, while emphasizing procedural oversight rather than additional bureaucratic layers.
The Senate discussion comes on the heels of a significant case registered by the FIA’s Anti-Corruption Circle in Lahore. FIR No. 36/2025, filed on October 27, 2025, names nine officials from the NCCIA for allegedly abusing their authority and extorting large sums from the family of Ducky Bhai.
The FIR followed inquiry No. 219/2025, which revealed claims by Aroob Jatoi, wife of Saad ur Rehman. According to her statements, NCCIA officers demanded money in exchange for offering relief in her husband’s case. The inquiry uncovered extensive corruption within NCCIA Lahore and prompted a broader investigation that is now under Senate scrutiny.
These revelations have placed the FIA under intense public and parliamentary scrutiny. Allegations of high-level corruption and extortion undermine confidence in one of Pakistan’s key law enforcement agencies, especially at a time when public trust in institutional accountability is crucial.
The Senate committee’s focus on this matter reflects growing concerns over systemic issues within the FIA, including mismanagement of cybercrime investigations, abuse of authority, and lack of transparency in handling high-profile cases. The need for stringent oversight, internal audits, and clear accountability mechanisms has become more urgent than ever.
The Interior Ministry and FIA officials have been tasked with presenting a detailed report on the extortion allegations and the steps taken to address them. The Senate committee emphasized that corrective action must be immediate and transparent to restore credibility in Pakistan’s federal investigation framework.
Experts suggest that reforms should include stricter supervision of FIA operations, better financial audits, and measures to prevent abuse of power by officials. Such steps are essential not only to address current allegations but also to ensure long-term integrity and effectiveness of the agency.
