FIA DG Bashir Memon resigns in protest

Says he was being pressured to file lawsuits against opposition leaders

ISLAMABAD: Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) Director General Bashir Memon has resigned from his post days ahead of his retirement date in protest. According to the sources, he was under pressure to file lawsuits against the opposition leaders.

The DG FIA has sent his resignation letter to the Establishment Division secretary in which he wrote that “it is against etiquettes to transfer a government official, who is about to retire”.

“Transferring a few days before retirement means that the government is not happy with me. I resign from the job in view of the government's decision,” he added.

According to the sources, Memon went on leave on September 28 due to a dispute over some issues with the government. However, he came to duty on November 25, they added.

The sources said Memon returned to duty to prepare his pension papers; however, the government transferred him due to which he resigned.

The sources said that there was pressure on Memon to set up cases against the opposition leaders which he refused to succumb to.

According to the sources, the Prime Minister Office asked the Establishment Division secretary as to how Memon came back now that they would be deploying a new person on his position. The secretary replied that he came for a few days.

The secretary and Memon held a meeting in which the latter made it clear that he had come to complete his time till retirement and if there was any resentment he would resign. Memon had resigned in protest on November 29.

The government has appointed former Panama Papers joint investigation team head Wajid Zia as the FIA DG.