FIA accused of dragging feet as accused officers remain behind bars
LAHORE: As investigations into a major corruption and extortion scandal within the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) continue to crawl forward, three senior officers have resigned, raising fresh concerns over accountability, transparency, and possible institutional cover-ups.
According to an official NCCIA notification, Deputy Director Muhammad Sarfraz Chaudhry, Assistant Directors Muhammad Usman, Shoaib Riaz, and Asma Majeed tendered their resignations, which were approved by the Interior Ministry on November 20, 2025.
The officers were formally relieved of their duties, but their resignations have done little to ease public anger over what many describe as a deeply entrenched corruption network within the agency.
A Scam That Rocked the System
The controversy erupted in October, when nine NCCIA officials in Lahore and another twelve in Islamabad were booked for allegedly extorting money from a YouTuber, call centres, aggregator companies, and individuals involved in online businesses.
An internal inquiry revealed that the accused officers allegedly operated as an organised network, accepting monthly cash bribes to protect fraudulent call centres and facilitate online scams—directly undermining the agency’s core mandate.
Even more troubling are allegations that some suspects were linked to a so-called “blasphemy gang”, accused of framing individuals for personal and financial gain.
FIA’s Slow Probe Raises Eyebrows
Despite the gravity of the allegations, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)—tasked with probing the case—has yet to complete its investigation or submit a challan to court.
Sources say all nine arrested officials remain in jail, but no extensive interrogation has been conducted, fuelling speculation that the FIA may be attempting to shield its former officers, many of whom previously served in the FIA’s cybercrime wing before the NCCIA was formed.
When questioned about the delay, an FIA spokesperson offered a brief response: “The matter is under investigation.”
For critics, that answer only deepens suspicion.
Ducky Bhai Case and Torture Allegations
Among the most high-profile aspects of the case is the involvement of YouTuber Saad ur Rehman, popularly known as Ducky Bhai, who was accused of promoting gambling applications.
Mr Rehman has since publicly detailed what he described as “brutal torture” during his time in NCCIA custody—allegedly at the hands of Deputy Director Sarfraz Chaudhry.
According to the FIR, registered under Sections 109 and 161 of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947, the accused officers allegedly kept their shares of the bribes and distributed the remaining money among members of an “official gang.”
More Firings Expected
Although only three officers have resigned so far, sources believe all 20-plus suspected officials could eventually be dismissed.
There are also growing complaints about the exploitation of women victims by certain elements within the NCCIA—an allegation that, if proven, would further damage the credibility of Pakistan’s cybercrime enforcement apparatus.
As one source bluntly put it, the agency appears to have “become part of the problem rather than curbing it.”