Illegal appointments: FIA arrests PARC ex-chairman, director

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Corruption Circle (ACC) Monday announced the arrest of two high-ranking officials from the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) on the charges of abuse of authority through illegal appointments.

The arrests mark the initial phase of a broader investigation into alleged corruption within the institution. The arrested individuals have been identified as Ghulam Muhammad Ali, former chairman of PARC, and Ikhlaq Ahmed (also referred to as Ikram Malik in the FIR), who served as director Establishment at the PARC. Both were taken into custody following an inquiry conducted by the ACC, which found them guilty of illegal recruitments and misuse of official powers.

According to FIA sources, the suspects are accused of illegally recruiting 332 individuals against only 164 sanctioned posts during their tenure at the PARC. The FIA lodged the First Information Report (FIR) under sections 34, 109, 409, 468, and 471 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), read with Section 5(2)47 of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) 1947. The FIR nominates a total of 19 officers, including Ghulam Mohammad Ali (mentioned as chairman PARC in the FIR), Ikram Malik (director Establishment), Ghulam Sadiq Afridi (member SSD), and other officers in various grades.

While the two were the first to be apprehended, the FIA stated that further arrests of remaining officials involved in the case would be made as the investigation progresses. Raids are reportedly underway to apprehend other implicated officials and staff.

Later on, Judicial Magistrate Ahmed Shahzad Gondal handed over Ghulam Muhammad Ali and Ikhlaq Malik to the FIA on three-day physical remand. The FIA presented the accused in the court and requested for 14-day physical remand.

The ex-chairman PARC said on the occasion all vacancies were advertised, and committees were formed for selection of all candidates. Judge Ahmed Shahzad said that an investigation was yet to be conducted into the matter and things would come to light. After hearing the arguments, the court handed over both the accused to the FIA on a three-day physical remand.