ISLAMABAD: The Interior Ministry has concluded major internal accountability proceedings against several officers and personnel of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), resulting in a wave of dismissals, demotions and other penalties across various ranks.
The action was initiated to address serious charges of negligence, corruption and unprofessional conduct, with several dismissals directly linked to the devastating 2023 Greece boat tragedy.
The internal inquiry established clear negligence on the part of several FIA officers concerning the 2023 maritime disaster. As a result, a deputy director, two assistant directors stationed at Karachi airport and an assistant director posted at Faisalabad airport have been terminated from service.
In separate cases, a deputy director posted at Multan airport was demoted in rank and salary for three years after being found guilty of alleged links with human traffickers. Two senior investigators were terminated due to poor investigation practices and an assistant database administrator was also dismissed for negligence and carelessness.
Further accountability measures included financial and rank reductions for several officers and personnel. Four assistant directors and one inspector received reductions in their basic pay scale for periods ranging from one to three years, penalised for absenteeism, negligence and poor investigation.
An assistant director and an inspector at Islamabad airport were censured for mishandling a prisoner. The interior secretary, concluding the internal accountability, addressed numerous appeals from previously dismissed personnel, upholding their termination in most cases. The appeals of six sub-inspectors, one ASI, three head constables and five constables were rejected, confirming their dismissal from service. The appeal of an LDC was also rejected, upholding their dismissal for absenteeism.
In a few instances, penalties were reduced upon appeal: A superintendent and a sub-inspector successfully had their penalty of promotion stoppage converted into censure.
