Controversial FIA chief calls it quits
Waseem Ahmed is replaced by Malik Muhammad Iqbal, who was previously working as Balochistan police chief.
ISLAMABAD:
Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) chief Waseem Ahmed resigned on Wednesday, months after the Supreme Court ordered the government to remove him allegedly for ‘changing the direction’ of high-profile cases, including last year’s Hajj scam.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani replaced Waseem with Balochistan police chief Malik Muhammad Iqbal after accepting the former’s resignation, a one-line handout statement issued by the premier’s office said.
In his resignation letter to Gilani, Waseem Ahmed wrote that he had decided to leave as the director-general of the FIA in the larger national interest.
“There was an unprecedented controversy developing between the government and the Supreme Court apparently because of me. The executive wanted to retain me but the judiciary desired to send me (packing) home,” Waseem told The Express Tribune later.
“So I thought it was better to quit.”
The outgoing FIA chief said he did not have any justification to occupy the key post after he was separated from high-profile investigations.
“When the Supreme Court clipped my wings, I mean I was removed from high-profile cases, there wasn’t any justification for me to continue (as the FIA chief),” he added.
There were strong rumours that he was being given another “important assignment”. But officials at Gilani’s secretariat did not confirm it.
Waseem himself, however, said he would accept if the government offered him some other post “with all the powers”.
“I will accept if the government gives me another assignment only if I am given full powers…because this is how you can deliver,” he said.
The government had urged the court to retain Waseem Ahmed keeping in view of the current domestic situation.
Early last month, the Supreme Court rejected all justifications given by the federation to retain the incumbent FIA chief after refusing to revoke Waseem Ahmed’s contract despite the judicial ruling.
The Supreme Court removed Waseem from the Hajj scam investigations, which also cost a federal minister his cabinet post and accusations were levelled against Gilani’s son.
Waseem Ahmad was given an extension by the government, contending that it was important for him to preside over anti-corruption cases which had progressed to an advanced stage of investigation to “maintain continuity”.
The Supreme Court chief justice had earlier ruled that the decision to retain the FIA chief was discriminatory, considering the fact that the services of other police officers reemployed on contract had been terminated.
New DG FIA Malik Iqbal said he would try his level best to look after all high profile cases personally and tighten noose around all the accused.
“I, being head of the top investigation agency, will find solution to all challenges being faced by FIA,” he had earlier told The Express Tribune.
Iqbal was appointed as Inspector-General of Police Balochistan in July last year. Earlier, he was working as the additional inspector-general of Police in Punjab.
Malik Iqbal, a career officer of Police Services of Pakistan, joined the civil services as an ASP in 1976.
During his 34-year-long career, he held various key posts, including Lahore’s Capital City Police Officer, DIG of Lahore, Gujranwala, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, DIG (SB) Sindh and Karachi.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 7th, 2011.
Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) chief Waseem Ahmed resigned on Wednesday, months after the Supreme Court ordered the government to remove him allegedly for ‘changing the direction’ of high-profile cases, including last year’s Hajj scam.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani replaced Waseem with Balochistan police chief Malik Muhammad Iqbal after accepting the former’s resignation, a one-line handout statement issued by the premier’s office said.
In his resignation letter to Gilani, Waseem Ahmed wrote that he had decided to leave as the director-general of the FIA in the larger national interest.
“There was an unprecedented controversy developing between the government and the Supreme Court apparently because of me. The executive wanted to retain me but the judiciary desired to send me (packing) home,” Waseem told The Express Tribune later.
“So I thought it was better to quit.”
The outgoing FIA chief said he did not have any justification to occupy the key post after he was separated from high-profile investigations.
“When the Supreme Court clipped my wings, I mean I was removed from high-profile cases, there wasn’t any justification for me to continue (as the FIA chief),” he added.
There were strong rumours that he was being given another “important assignment”. But officials at Gilani’s secretariat did not confirm it.
Waseem himself, however, said he would accept if the government offered him some other post “with all the powers”.
“I will accept if the government gives me another assignment only if I am given full powers…because this is how you can deliver,” he said.
The government had urged the court to retain Waseem Ahmed keeping in view of the current domestic situation.
Early last month, the Supreme Court rejected all justifications given by the federation to retain the incumbent FIA chief after refusing to revoke Waseem Ahmed’s contract despite the judicial ruling.
The Supreme Court removed Waseem from the Hajj scam investigations, which also cost a federal minister his cabinet post and accusations were levelled against Gilani’s son.
Waseem Ahmad was given an extension by the government, contending that it was important for him to preside over anti-corruption cases which had progressed to an advanced stage of investigation to “maintain continuity”.
The Supreme Court chief justice had earlier ruled that the decision to retain the FIA chief was discriminatory, considering the fact that the services of other police officers reemployed on contract had been terminated.
New DG FIA Malik Iqbal said he would try his level best to look after all high profile cases personally and tighten noose around all the accused.
“I, being head of the top investigation agency, will find solution to all challenges being faced by FIA,” he had earlier told The Express Tribune.
Iqbal was appointed as Inspector-General of Police Balochistan in July last year. Earlier, he was working as the additional inspector-general of Police in Punjab.
Malik Iqbal, a career officer of Police Services of Pakistan, joined the civil services as an ASP in 1976.
During his 34-year-long career, he held various key posts, including Lahore’s Capital City Police Officer, DIG of Lahore, Gujranwala, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, DIG (SB) Sindh and Karachi.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 7th, 2011.