ISLAMABAD, May 11: In a surprising move, the government removed Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Javed Iqbal on Friday and appointed Secretary of the Ministry of Narcotics Control Zafar Abbas Lak to the post.

Javed Iqbal was the 6th FIA chief removed by the present regime ostensibly for not toeing the line of Interior Minister Rehman Malik. The post was earlier held by Tariq Pervaz, Tariq Khosa, Zafarullah Khan, Waseem Ahmed and Malik Iqbal.

According to a notification issued by the establishment division, Javed Iqbal has been posted as Secretary of the Ministry of Narcotics Control. Sources in the ministry of narcotics control said Zafar Lak was overseeing investigation into the ephedrine scam in which the prime minister’s son Ali Musa Gilani is alleged to be involved.

MNA Musa Gilani has been summoned for the second time on Saturday by the Anti-Narcotics Force which is investigating the scam.

The sources said Javed Iqbal had refused to carry out several directives of the interior minister relating to postings and transfers of FIA officials.