Action against FIA inspector after bribery complaint

KARACHI:

An inspector of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Karachi was sent to the administrative department following a complaint by a builder that he was demanding bribes.

Aziz Hanif, who runs a real estate and construction business, wrote to the head of the agency stating that Inspector Mansoor Mohmand had demanded a cut in each of his projects in lieu of his 'protection'.

He said that Mohmand was his father's friend and would take money from his father, including airline tickets. He wanted to continue the same practice with him. Hanif said that the inspector had threatened to implicate him and his family in a slew of hawala-hundi and cybercrime case unless he was paid the 'protection money'.

When he refused, the inspector sent him a bullet in an envelope through his henchman Javed, the complaint states.

Hanif admitted to previously giving Mohmand Rs1 million, business class plane tickets and six bottles of whiskey.

However, the inspector continued with his excessive demands until he found an ex-director of the FIA who intervened on his behalf. But that didn't stop the Mohmand from harassing him, and he started calling him again with threats. The complaint adds that Mohmand's asset were beyond the means of a grade-16 officer. It said that he had multiple properties but he was not questioned as he had the support of high-ranking personnel.

FIA Karachi Director Abdul Salam Shaikh said that the inspector had been removed from the operational post and would be officer on special duty pending an inquiry.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 25^th, 2023.