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

IMF’s projections
Updated 18 Apr, 2024

IMF’s projections

The problems are well-known and the country is aware of what is needed to stabilise the economy; the challenge is follow-through and implementation.
Hepatitis crisis
18 Apr, 2024

Hepatitis crisis

THE sheer scale of the crisis is staggering. A new WHO report flags Pakistan as the country with the highest number...
Never-ending suffering
18 Apr, 2024

Never-ending suffering

OVER the weekend, the world witnessed an intense spectacle when Iran launched its drone-and-missile barrage against...
Saudi FM’s visit
Updated 17 Apr, 2024

Saudi FM’s visit

The government of Shehbaz Sharif will have to manage a delicate balancing act with Pakistan’s traditional Saudi allies and its Iranian neighbours.
Dharna inquiry
17 Apr, 2024

Dharna inquiry

THE Supreme Court-sanctioned inquiry into the infamous Faizabad dharna of 2017 has turned out to be a damp squib. A...
Future energy
17 Apr, 2024

Future energy

PRIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif’s recent directive to the energy sector to curtail Pakistan’s staggering $27bn oil...