FIA suspends two officers after Sarafa Bazaar raid in Karachi

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency’s Karachi Zone has suspended two officers and registered a case against a private individual following a recent raid on a jewellery shop in Karachi’s Sarafa Bazaar, according to an FIA spokesperson.

The action came days after FIA Director General Dr Usman Anwar took notice of the incident and ordered a full inquiry, directing that a report be submitted within 48 hours.

According to the spokesperson, FIA Karachi Zone Director Muntazir Mehdi ordered immediate legal and departmental measures after the matter came under scrutiny. Two FIA officers who were present at the scene were suspended, while a case was lodged against a private individual accused of slapping a citizen during the episode.

In addition, Assistant Director Syed Ali Mardan Shah, who had been serving as in charge of the FIA’s Karachi Anti-Corruption Circle, was removed from the post and attached to headquarters. Assistant Director Rabab Qazi was also transferred from the FIA Anti-Corruption Circle to the Human Trafficking and Smuggling Wing.

Departmental inquiry launched

The spokesperson said a departmental inquiry had been initiated against all officers and officials who were present during the incident. The purpose of the inquiry, the spokesperson said, was to examine every aspect of the matter in a complete, transparent and impartial manner.

Mehdi said conduct involving overstepping authority, irresponsibility or any action contrary to the law would not be accepted.

The spokesperson said:

“The FIA fully believes in the rule of law, transparency and accountability, and action is being ensured at every level without discrimination,”

The spokesperson added that the Karachi Zone remained committed to maintaining public trust, professional conduct and enforcement of the law.

Background to the raid

On May 15, the FIA carried out a raid on a jewellery shop in Sarafa Bazaar in connection with alleged silver smuggling. The agency had initially stated that official records showed 178 kilogrammes of silver should have been present at the shop, but only 15kg of locally branded silver was recovered.

According to the FIA’s earlier position, the remaining 163kg may have been removed during a disturbance that broke out when traders and shopkeepers gathered at the market. The agency had also said that some individuals attempted to aggravate the situation by forming crowds and obstructing official action, while FIA personnel dealt with the situation with restraint.

The FIA had further claimed that digital evidence had been obtained from suspects’ mobile phones and that the material was linked to smuggling networks.

The latest action by the Karachi Zone follows the internal review ordered after the incident, with both disciplinary and legal proceedings now underway against those identified in the initial response.