FIA Officials Accused of Assaulting Jewellers During Karachi Market Raid

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director General has launched a detailed inquiry into a controversial raid at Karachi’s Saddar Sarafa Bazaar, which is now linked to a major silver smuggling case involving hundreds of kilograms of the precious metal. The probe follows a May 15 operation at a jewellery shop where FIA officials faced allegations of assault, supported by CCTV footage. In response, the agency has suspended an officer and the SHO of the FIA Anti-Corruption Circle pending the inquiry’s findings, which are due within 48 hours.

The FIA maintains the raid targeted a shop suspected of involvement in a large-scale smuggling network. According to the agency, official records indicated 178 kilograms of silver should have been on the premises, but 163kg allegedly went missing during a disturbance created by other traders. Only 15kg of silver was recovered. The FIA stated that while traders obstructed the raid by forming crowds, its personnel handled the situation with restraint. Officials also claim to have obtained digital evidence from suspects’ phones connecting them to smuggling operations.

The Karachi operation is an extension of a wider investigation into a significant case discussed at a recent Senate committee meeting. The committee was informed that approximately 400kg of a 698kg silver consignment confiscated by Pakistan Customs in Balochistan had been replaced with lead during transport. Customs officials described the incident as a likely “insider job,” which the FIA was already investigating. Senator Saleem Mandviwalla has directed the Federal Board of Revenue to ensure the recovery of the missing silver and identify those involved.

In an effort to de-escalate tensions, the FIA Karachi Zone director met with representatives of the All Pakistan Sarafa Jewellers and Gems Association. He assured the delegation that a complete, transparent, and impartial investigation would be conducted into both the raid and the conduct of the officials involved, emphasizing that no one is above the law. The meeting also covered matters of mutual cooperation and confidence-building.

An FIA spokesperson reiterated that the agency’s crackdown is against “smugglers and economic criminals,” not the broader business community. Investigations have been launched against suspects for smuggling, obstructing government officials, and inciting crowds. The agency affirmed it would continue to take strict action against anyone interfering in legal operations while upholding professional standards.

KARACHI — The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director General has ordered a detailed inquiry after a controversial raid on a Karachi jewelers’ market, which the agency now states is part of a larger investigation into a major silver smuggling case. The raid at Saddar’s Sarafa Bazaar on May 15 led to allegations of assault against FIA officials, supported by CCTV footage. In response, the agency has suspended an officer seen in the video and the SHO of the FIA Anti-Corruption Circle pending the outcome of the inquiry, which is expected within 48 hours.

The FIA alleges the operation targeted a shop suspected of involvement in smuggling, claiming that 163 kilograms of silver went missing from the premises during a disturbance created by traders. According to the agency, official records indicated 178kg of silver should have been present, but only 15kg was recovered. The FIA stated that traders obstructed the raid by forming crowds, but personnel handled the situation with restraint. Officials also claim to have obtained digital evidence from suspects’ phones linking them to smuggling networks.

The incident is connected to a significant case previously reported to a Senate committee, where 400kg of silver confiscated by Pakistan Customs in Balochistan was allegedly replaced with lead during transport. Customs officials described the matter as a likely “insider job,” which the FIA was already investigating. The Karachi raid appears to be an extension of that broader inquiry into what the FIA terms “economic criminals.”

In an effort to de-escalate tensions, the FIA Karachi Zone director met with representatives of the All Pakistan Sarafa Jewellers and Gems Association. He assured the delegation that a complete and transparent investigation would be conducted into the raid and the conduct of the officials involved, emphasizing that no one is above the law. The agency maintains its crackdown is against smugglers and not the wider business community, vowing to take strict action against those interfering in legal operations.

KARACHI — Officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) have been accused of assaulting shopkeepers during a raid conducted at a jewelers’ market in Karachi’s Saddar area.

The allegations are supported by CCTV footage which appears to show an FIA official slapping and threatening a jeweller. In the same recording, another man dressed in plainclothes is seen manhandling a worker. The traders have formally accused the FIA team of harassment and of snatching money and a mobile phone during the incident.

An FIA spokesperson has responded to the allegations, claiming the video is misleading. The spokesperson stated that the operation was part of an official anti-smuggling crackdown conducted by the agency.