ISLAMABAD: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director General Dr Usman Anwar took notice of an incident during a raid in Karachi’s Sarafa Bazar and sought a detailed report within 48 hours.
On May 15, 2026, the agency carried out a raid on a jewellery shop in the market, targeting alleged silver smuggling.
The FIA had initially taken the position that official records showed 178 kilogrammes of silver should have been at the shop, but only 15kg of locally branded silver was recovered.
The agency alleged the missing 163kg may have been removed during a disturbance created by traders and shopkeepers at the market.
It further claimed that some people tried to worsen the situation by forming crowds and obstructing official action, but personnel handled it with restraint. Moreover, the FIA said it had obtained digital evidence from suspects’ phones linked to smuggling networks.
The FIA chief directed the Karachi Zone director to conduct a full inquiry into the matter, instructing that all aspects of the incident, including legal procedures, relevant evidence and material circulating on social media, be examined impartially.
According to an FIA spokesperson, the agency is a professional institution that believes in transparent and impartial action in accordance with the law.
“Strict action will be taken against elements involved in the incident and any illegal activities in accordance with the law,” the spokesperson said.
They added that investigations were launched against the suspects and facilitators on allegations of smuggling, obstructing government officials, and inciting crowds against state action.
The agency stressed that the operation was against smugglers and economic criminals, not the wider business community, and that strict action would continue against those interfering in legal operations.
In a related development, the Karachi Zone director met representatives of the All Pakistan Sarafa Jewellers and Gems Association on Saturday to discuss the raid.
During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on the incident and related matters, according to the FIA spokesperson.
The Karachi Zone director assured the delegation that a complete, transparent and impartial investigation would be conducted, with all aspects of the case examined in detail. He added that the rule of law would be ensured and no one was above the law.
“The FIA will prioritise legal requirements and institutional procedures in carrying out its professional responsibilities,” the spokesperson said.
Matters related to mutual cooperation, confidence-building, and the resolution of issues faced by the business community were also discussed.
The raid is linked to a broader case of missing silver during transportation after confiscation by Pakistan Customs.
It was reported in a Senate committee meeting on Friday that approximately 698kg of silver had been confiscated in various cases in Balochistan. However, during transport, it was found that the consignment allegedly contained only 298kg of silver, while the remaining 400kg consisted of lead.
Customs officials informed the committee that the matter appeared prima facie to be an insider job and that an inquiry had already been initiated by the FIA.
Senator Saleem Mandviwalla directed the Federal Board of Revenue to ensure recovery of the missing silver, identify those involved and submit a comprehensive report.
