FIA suspends two officers, registers case over incident in Karachi's Sarafa Bazaar

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Karachi Zone on Tuesday suspended two officers. registered a case against a private individual over a recent raid on a jewellery shop in the metropolis’s Sarafa Bazaar.

The development came days after FIA Director General Dr Usman Anwartook noticeof the incident. demanded a full inquiry, with the report to be submitted within 48 hours.

According to an FIA spokesperson, FIA Karachi Zone Director Muntazir Mehdi ordered immediate legal and departmental action.

Two FIA officers present at the scene were suspended. while a case was registered against a private individual for allegedly slapping a citizen.

Assistant Director Syed Ali Mardan Shah, in charge of the FIA’s Karachi Anti-Corruption Circle (ACC), was removed from his post. attached to headquarters, while Assistant Director Rabab Qazi was transferred from FIA ACC to the Human Trafficking and Smuggling Wing.

A departmental inquiry was also initiated against all officers. officials present during the incident to examine all aspects in a “complete, transparent and impartial” manner.

Mehdi said overstepping authority, irresponsible conduct and any act contrary to the law would not be tolerated.

“The FIA fully believes in the rule of law, transparency. accountability, and action is being ensured at every level without discrimination,” the spokesperson said, adding that the Karachi Zone remains committed to public trust, professional conduct and enforcement of the law.

On May 15, the agencycarried out a raidon a jewellery shop in the market, targeting alleged silver smuggling.

The FIA had initially taken the position that official records showed 178 kilogrammes of silver should have been at the shop,. only 15kg of locally branded silver was recovered.

The agency alleged the missing 163kg may have been removed during a disturbance created by traders. shopkeepers at the market.

It further claimed that some people tried to worsen the situation by forming crowds. obstructing official action, but personnel handled it with restraint. Moreover, the FIA claimed it had obtained digital evidence from suspects’ phones linked to smuggling networks.