Syed Fawad Ali Shah
In a startling revelation, the permanence of Federal Investigation Agency cybercrime officers has been declared illegal, sending shockwaves across the nation. This announcement, stemming from a landmark decision by the Islamabad High Court, has raised serious concerns over the recruitment and conduct of these officers, creating a national crisis. The controversy unraveled when it was uncovered that in 2013, a sub-cabinet committee led by Khursheed Shah conferred permanent status upon officers originally hired on a contractual basis through political channels. Officers in grades sixteen, seventeen, and eighteen from various regions found themselves in this category. However, the High Court has deemed their tenure as unlawful, casting a shadow over their legitimacy. According to the court’s ruling, all incumbent cybercrime officers must undertake the rigorous Federal Public Service Commission examination to determine their eligibility for permanent employment. This directive has led to a major impasse, as the officers in question remain reluctant to take the daunting exam, fearing they may not pass. This contentious issue gained public attention when FIA authorities submitted recommendations to the Ministry of Interior to terminate 15 officers within the cybercrime wing, due to their involvement in corrupt practices. Among those implicated, Aamir Nazir, currently posted in the FIA Counter-Terrorism Wing in Islamabad, was prominently mentioned. Numerous complaints have emerged against cybercrime officers hailing from Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, and Islamabad. Allegations include abductions for ransom, torture, blackmail, and the framing of innocent individuals in false cases. Astonishingly, these officers have managed to evade accountability, with inquiries often mysteriously dropped, purportedly due to illicit dealings within the FIA headquarters or with officials from the Interior Ministry. The crux of the problem revolves around the failure of the FIA Cybercrime cadre officers to pass the Federal Public Service Commission examination, rendering their continued service illegal. Disturbingly, insider sources have suggested that significant sums of money have changed hands to obstruct these officers from attempting the exam, pointing fingers at influential individuals within the Ministry of Interior Affairs. Over the past decade, the FIA’s reputation has been severely tarnished by the actions of these cybercrime officers, eroding public trust to the point where citizens are hesitant to file complaints with the organization. Shockingly, these officers, initially inducted through nefarious means, have managed to amass illicit fortunes. Furthermore, they have formed a formidable nexus within the FIA, shielding them from any repercussions. This has presented a formidable challenge to the caretaker government and the Chief of Army Staff, as they grapple with the urgent need to resolve this scandal involving the FIA’s cybercrime cadre. This explosive situation raises pressing questions about the integrity of law enforcement and the administration of justice in our nation. Leaving the fate of people at the mercy of contract employees and even those with dubious service record is nothing less than miscarriage of justice.
