Wajid Zia, former head of Panamagate JIT, appointed as new FIA chief

Published November 29, 2019
Wajid Zia was the head of the JIT that probed the Panama Papers case. — File photo
Wajid Zia was the head of the JIT that probed the Panama Papers case. — File photo

The government on Friday appointed the former head of the Panamagate joint investigation team, Wajid Zia, as the new director general of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

Zia was currently serving as the inspector general of Pakistan Railways Police under the railways' ministry.

A notification issued by the Establishment Division said Zia, a BS-21 officer of the Police Service of Pakistan, "is transferred and posted as director general, Federal Investigation Agency, under Interior Division, in his own pay and scale, with immediate effect".

The current DG FIA, Bashir Ahmed Memon, who was due to retire on December 17, has been directed to report to the Establishment Division.

Zia has previously served as the FIA additional direc­tor general (immigration) and twice in the Intelligence Bureau and Motorway Police. He also worked in the Economic Crimes Wing of the FIA and was a part of the team that probed the Haj scam.

In a flurry of other changes announced today, Yousaf Naseem Khokhar, a grade-22 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, was transferred and posted as the Interior Division secretary with immediate effect.

The government also replaced all zonal directors of the FIA.

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

PAKISTAN has now registered 50 polio cases this year. We all saw it coming and yet there was nothing we could do to...
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...