LAHORE: A special court in Multan has sentenced a former bank officer to 21-year rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs42 million for embezzling the same amount through fake and forged bank guarantees.

Multan Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) said on Thursday that the Special Court (Offences in Banks) convicted Kamran Rafiq, a former relationship manager at a private bank’s Abdali Road branch, in a case registered under sections 420, 468, 471 and 409 of the PPC, along with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.

The court awarded the convict 21-year rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs42m. In case of default on payment of the fine, he would have to undergo further imprisonment in accordance with the law.

The FIA said the case stemmed from an inquiry that found the accused had embezzled Rs42m while serving as the relationship manager at the bank’s branch in Multan. He carried out the fraud by issuing fake and forged bank guarantees, causing substantial financial losses.

Following the completion of investigations, the FIA registered an FIR and submitted the challan before the competent court.

The agency said Assistant Director (Legal) Muhammad Junaid Joiya prosecuted the case on behalf of the FIA Multan Zone, while Assistant Director (Legal) Imran Atta provided assistance throughout the trial proceedings.

The FIA termed the conviction a significant success in its campaign against financial crimes and corruption.

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2026