The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) Chairman Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali in a major corruption case linked to illegal appointments. The arrest was made by the FIA’s Anti-Corruption Circle and the accused is expected to be presented before the court today (Monday).
According to FIA officials, Dr. Ali is accused of approving hundreds of illegal recruitments, bypassing official hiring procedures. The investigation revealed that 332 individuals were hired for just 164 sanctioned posts, raising serious questions about transparency and merit in the recruitment process.
The case was initiated following a directive from the Public Accounts Committee. Along with Dr. Ali, 19 other senior officials and agricultural experts have also been named. They face charges of accepting bribes in exchange for illegal appointments and violating hiring laws.
FIA’s initial findings suggest that the entire recruitment process was full of irregularities and went against legal protocols. Officials claim that the large-scale hiring was done without required approvals and proper verification of qualifications.
Meanwhile, legal proceedings are now underway and more arrests are expected as the investigation deepens. Authorities say the scandal has not only damaged the credibility of PARC but also raised concerns about corruption in key public institutions.
This arrest has sparked strong reactions across the government and civil society, with many calling for stricter oversight of recruitment processes in public departments to ensure transparency and accountability.