The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested six officials of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), including Additional Director Chaudhry Sarfraz, on allegations of bribery and misuse of authority, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Tuesday.
According to official and media reports, the arrests took place late on Sunday, with the suspects taken into FIA custody before being transferred to Lahore for court proceedings. They are expected to be presented before a district court today.
Their counsel, Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq, confirmed the arrests, saying that the FIA detained the six NCCIA officers, including Additional Director Chaudhry Sarfraz, In-charge Zawar, Sub-Inspector Ali Raza, Assistant Director Shoaib Riaz, Yasir Gujjar, and Mujtaba Kamran, over alleged corruption and abuse of official powers.
Sources said Chaudhry Sarfraz had been removed from his post last month following a series of controversies and directed to report to NCCIA headquarters in Islamabad. The official had reportedly applied for a six-month leave following his transfer.
Among the controversies linked to him were operations targeting several YouTubers and social media influencers, including Saadur Rehman, better known as Ducky Bhai, and Rajab Butt, accused of involvement in unregulated online trading and gambling applications.
Another dispute involved the registration of a case against a group of lawyers allegedly attempting to secure the release of a detained suspect from NCCIA custody.
A third incident related to a clash between Lahore-based journalists and a senior police official, where reporters had approached the cybercrime agency seeking action.
An FIA insider told the media that the transfer of Chaudhry Sarfraz had been recommended due to multiple complaints about his conduct and alleged overreach.
Reporter: Rana Faran Yamin