Govt’s plans to transfer DG FIA, if SC concurs

Syed Tahsin Anwer Ali Shah will be appointed in his place if apex court accepts government’s orders

LAHORE: The government issued orders on Monday, regarding Director General Malik Muhammad Iqbal’s transfer from the position of DG FIA. While Syed Tahsin Anwer Ali Shah will be appointed DG FIA, if the Supreme Court accepts the government’s move, which will be presented before the apex court at the next hearing, sources familiar with the matter told The Express Tribune.

After being promoted to BS-21, Shah assumed charge of additional director general at the FIA Headquarters on May 24. He is currently working as additional DG, Crime Circle, at the headquarters in Islamabad, but will be appointed as the DG FIA till further orders are received, sources further added.

According to them, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had signed the summary forwarded by the Establishment Division ordering Iqbal’s transfer on Sunday with firm orders to avoid “undue and untimely public exposure” of the notification. This notification had then been dispatched to the interior ministry, FIA Headquarters and other departments concerned before it was presented before the Supreme Court.

Sources said that the orders were issued by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani himself, who further wanted no action upon the orders.

According to the latest orders, Iqbal had been appointed as the head of National Counter-Terrorism Authority (Nacta), while current Nacta head Waseem Kausar had been transferred to the National Police Bureau as its new DG. His predecessor, Hamid Zeb, has been appointed as a member of the prime minister’s inspection team.

However, despite the prime minister’s signature on Sunday, all three officials – Iqbal, Kausar and Zeb – continued their duties as heads of their current organisations respectively, as none of them have yet to receive their new appointment orders.