The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested a former bank manager at Lahore airport after he returned to Pakistan from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), an FIA spokesperson said. The suspect, identified as Imran Sajid, a former branch manager of a private bank’s MA Jinnah Road branch in Okara, had been declared a proclaimed offender and his name was placed on the Passport Control List (PCL), according to the FIA. The FIA said its Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Wing in Faisalabad arrested the suspect under the supervision of Faisalabad Zone Director Saqib Sultan and Deputy Director Tariq Mahmood. The operation was conducted by an FIA team headed by Sub-Inspector Ajmal Hussain.

According to the FIA, a case was registered against Sajid on the complaint of Rehmat Ali, a resident of Okara, following the completion of an inquiry. The case was registered under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Pakistan Penal Code, including sections related to corruption, criminal breach of trust and cheating, the agency said. Rs10m allegedly embezzled According to the initial investigation, the suspect allegedly misused his position as a bank branch manager and, along with an accomplice, persuaded the complainant to invest Rs10 million by promising high returns.

The FIA alleged that instead of depositing the money into the bank, the suspects misappropriated the amount. When the complainant demanded his money back, the suspects allegedly returned Rs2.5 million in cash and issued a cheque for another Rs2.5 million. The cheque was later dishonoured, according to the FIA. The remaining Rs5 million is still outstanding and is allegedly part of the scam, the agency said. The FIA has launched further investigation into the case and is working to determine the role of other individuals allegedly involved in the fraud. Further legal action will be taken against those found involved in accordance with the law, the FIA spokesperson said.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)