LAHORE: The Establishment Division of the Cabinet Secretariat has imposed a major disciplinary penalty on former Director of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing, Babar Bakht Qureshi (PSP/BS-20), following the completion of departmental proceedings under the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020.
According to Notification No1/46/2022-D-III, dated June 22, 2026, the prime minister, acting as the competent authority, approved the major penalty of reduction to a lower post and pay scale for a period of three years with immediate effect.
The notification states that the disciplinary proceedings were finalised after an inquiry initiated through an order dated June 21, 2023. Exercising powers under Rule 2(1)(c) of the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020, read with Rule 6 of the Civil Servants (Appointment, Promotion and Transfer) Rules, 1973, the prime minister imposed the penalty under Rule 4(3)(b) read with Rule 16(7)(b) of the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020.
The notification further states that Babar Bakht Qureshi has the right to file an appeal before the Appellate Authority under the Civil Servants (Appeal) Rules, 1977, within 30 days of the issuance of the notification.
Qureshi previously served as Director of the FIA Cyber Crime Wing and was removed from the post in April 2022 following allegations related to the manhandling of journalist Mohsin Jameel Baig. The controversy arose after an FIA team raided Baig’s residence in Islamabad on February 16, 2022, and arrested him. During the operation, Baig allegedly opened fire on members of the raiding team and physically assaulted some officials. The raid was carried out following a complaint lodged by then Federal Minister for Communications Murad Saeed, who alleged that defamatory remarks had been made against him by Baig during a television programme.
