FIA Arrests Ex-PARC Chiefs Over Illegal Hiring in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested two senior former officials of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) in Islamabad on charges of illegal recruitment and abuse of authority, in a high-profile move to strengthen accountability in the public sector.

According to FIA’s Anti-Corruption Circle Islamabad, the two arrested suspects are Ghulam Muhammad Ali, former PARC Chairman, and Ikhlaq Malik, former Director Establishment.

Investigators allege they orchestrated the unlawful recruitment of 332 individuals despite there being only 164 approved positions, breaching government hiring rules and exceeding sanctioned staffing limits. The large-scale over-hiring has raised concerns over systemic misuse of power and the burden on public resources.

Following the arrests, the FIA launched a formal investigation to identify additional officials and accomplices involved in the recruitment scandal. Raids are reportedly underway in multiple locations to track down others suspected of facilitating or benefiting from the illegal appointments.

Officials said the investigation aims to expose the full extent of the network behind the unauthorized hires, recover evidence, and ensure those responsible face legal consequences.

The arrested former officials were scheduled to appear before a local court on Monday to obtain physical remand, allowing investigators to conduct in-depth questioning and secure further documentation related to the hiring spree.

FIA sources noted that physical remand would help uncover details about how the recruitment was approved, who benefited, and whether bribes or kickbacks were involved.

This case is part of the FIA Anti-Corruption Circle’s broader efforts to curb abuse of authority, illegal hiring practices, and mismanagement in federal departments. The government has vowed to enforce strict accountability and promote transparency in public-sector recruitment.

Officials say targeting high-profile suspects in influential institutions like PARC is intended to set a precedent and deter similar misconduct elsewhere in the bureaucracy.

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