FIA arrests NCCIA Deputy Director and SI in Rs300m bribery case
The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Anti-Corruption Circle arrested two key officials in the widening corruption probe against officers of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on Thursday.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, Deputy Director Salman Awan and Sub-Inspector Sarim Ali were taken into custody as part of the investigation into an alleged multimillion-rupee bribery network linked to foreign-run call centres in Rawalpindi.
Officials said the suspects will be produced before a court tomorrow (on Friday), where investigators will seek their physical remand. Raids are also underway to arrest another accused, Mohiuddin.
The arrests mark a significant development in the case, which was registered on November 9, 2025, after the FIA lodged a major FIR against ten NCCIA officers, including two additional directors. The case also names several Chinese nationals, their Pakistani spouses, and private individuals.
According to the FIR, the officers allegedly provided protection to 15 call centres operating inside a private housing society in Rawalpindi. These centres, run by foreign nationals, were purportedly involved in illegal activities targeting members of the public.
In return for shielding these operations, NCCIA officials are accused of receiving around Rs 15 million per month in bribes, with total illegal earnings estimated at nearly Rs 250 million.
Investigators claim the illicit system continued even after new officers were posted, with an additional Rs 50 million allegedly collected in bribes. The funds were reportedly transferred through intermediaries Hasan Amir and Tahir Mohiuddin.
A Chinese national, Gu Kashian, also known as Kelvin, and his Pakistani spouse are among those accused; the spouse allegedly received Rs 21 million.
The FIR further alleges that Sub-Inspector Sarim Ali, posted at NCCIA Rawalpindi, sent violent and intimidating videos via WhatsApp depicting abuse of the Chinese national.
Investigators have recovered substantial digital evidence, including videos and chat logs, documenting the alleged corruption and bribe payments, which were reportedly collected in three instalments.
Additional Directors Shehzad Haider and Aamir Nazir; Deputy Directors Haider Abbas, Nadeem Abbas, and Suleman Awan; and multiple FIA Cyber Crime Cell officers Mian Irfan, Muhammad Bilal, Sarim Ali, Usman Basharat, and Zaheer Abbas are among those named.
Reporter: Tayyab Saif