PARC Chairman Arrested Over Illegal Hiring Scandal: FIA Launches Major Crackdown

Islamabad – (Naeem Mehboob)-The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Chairman of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), on charges of illegal appointments and abuse of authority.

According to the FIA, Dr. Ali is accused of unlawfully recruiting 332 individuals against only 164 approved posts, in violation of official hiring protocols. The investigation, initiated on the orders of the FIA Accounts Committee, also led to the arrest of Director Establishment Ikhlaq Malik, who is allegedly involved in the same recruitment scandal.

The FIA has registered a formal case and begun further inquiries into the matter. Sources reveal that 19 senior officials of PARC have been named in the case, with allegations also surfacing of bribe-taking in exchange for illegal appointments.

“Raids are currently underway to arrest other officials involved,” the FIA spokesperson stated.

Both the PARC Chairman and Director will be presented in court today, where the FIA will seek their physical remand for further interrogation.

This major crackdown signals a tough stance against corruption in public institutions, particularly within the agricultural research sector, which is vital to Pakistan’s food security and rural development.