Alleged Extortion from Citizens Seeking Overseas Employment; System In-Charge Also Arrested, More Key Arrests Expected: FIA Deputy Director

PESHAWAR (Khalid Khan): The Anti-Corruption Circle Peshawar of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) launched a major operation against alleged extortion from citizens seeking employment abroad and the agent mafia, arresting Farukh Jamal, Director of the Protector Office Peshawar.

During the operation, Rs700,000 in cash was initially recovered from the suspect. Later, a raid at his residence led to the recovery of an additional Rs100 million in cash.

Addressing a press conference, Deputy Director FIA Anti-Corruption Circle Peshawar Rana Shahid Habib said that according to the investigation, millions of rupees were allegedly collected from people seeking employment abroad in the name of visas for various countries. He said the alleged network was illegally generating approximately Rs1.5 million every day.

He said that, besides the director, other staff members of the Protector Office were also allegedly involved in the corruption network, while evidence had also emerged indicating that certain individuals had access to the federal ministry. According to him, Farukh Jamal had been posted to the position for the past six months.

Rana Shahid Habib further said that during physical remand, System In-Charge Imran was also arrested on the identification of the accused, while more important arrests were expected in the case.

He said that, in accordance with the directives of the FIA Director General, indiscriminate action against elements involved in corruption and the agent mafia would continue to prevent the exploitation of citizens seeking employment abroad and to make the system more transparent.