ISLAMABAD: Recent updates between Pakistan’s two critical Bodies—the Federal Investigation Agency and the National Accountability Bureau —have unveiled allegations of corruption and procedural irregularities. According to credible sources, 2 NAB Deputy Directors, Saadullah Mehsud and Zawar Manzoor Warraich, who were deputed to the FIA, continue to hold critical immigration posts at Peshawar and Sialkot airports despite the completion of their deputation terms. This unprecedented move marks the first time in FIA’s history that NAB officers have been deployed in such roles. Shockingly, these appointments contravene the agency’s Standing Order No. 03/2023, which explicitly prohibits officers from other departments from being posted in sensitive FIA divisions such as immigration and border management. Experts highlight that the appointment of these officers—who lack experience in immigration matters—poses significant challenges to the operational efficiency of the FIA. Saadullah Mehsud currently oversees immigration and human trafficking operations at Peshawar Airport, while Zawar Manzoor Warraich holds a similar position at Sialkot Airport. Both officers’ roles involve handling highly sensitive tasks, raising serious questions about the transparency and integrity of these appointments. It is worth noting that NAB employees are paid nearly double the salaries of their FIA counterparts. Consequently, FIA officers often seek deputation to NAB for better financial incentives. However, the reverse—NAB officers deputed to FIA for lower salaries—has raised eyebrows and fueled suspicions of ulterior motives behind these controversial postings. FIA insiders and immigration experts attribute this crisis to the incompetence and alleged corruption of senior officials, including Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Interior Secretary Khurram Agha, and FIA Director General Ishaq Jahangir. They claim that the sidelining of experienced FIA officers in favor of inexperienced individuals from other departments is symptomatic of a deeper institutional decay.
Key Questions
These irregularities have left the public and experts grappling with critical questions:
1. Who is accountable for the blatant violation of FIA’s Standing Orders?
2. Will such collusion between NAB and FIA compromise the transparency of accountability processes?
3. What steps will the Federal Interior Minister and senior officials take to address this crisis?
The Broader Implications. Institutions like the FIA and NAB are considered the backbone of Pakistan’s governance structure. However, their increasing entanglement in controversies and procedural lapses has severely undermined public trust. If the government fails to address these issues, the consequences for institutional integrity and national security could be catastrophic.
