FIA and Intelligence Agencies Tasked with Combating Blackmail Attempts against Government Officials
Islamabad: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and intelligence agencies have been assigned the responsibility to take action against individuals involved in blackmailing and coercing government officials by sending letters to international organizations, according to officials.
These individuals are allegedly making baseless accusations against national institutions within the country, as reported by The News.
An official from the National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination stated that the health ministry has intercepted several letters, emails, and memorandums addressed to organizations such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, World Health Organization (WHO), and others.
These communications have requested the aforementioned organizations to halt funding and loan disbursement to Pakistan, alleging corruption and money laundering by Pakistani individuals.
The official revealed, “We have intercepted numerous letters, emails, and memorandums written to the FATF, IMF, World Bank, WHO, and other international organizations. These documents urge the organizations to cease funds and loans to Pakistan, accusing certain Pakistani institutions and officials of being ‘corrupt’ and ‘involved’ in money laundering.”
Furthermore, it was mentioned that these elements have been exerting pressure on the ministry and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) for the past five years. They seek resolution of their cases in the Drug Court and permission to continue producing counterfeit, substandard, and potentially harmful medicines.
The official added that letters and emails sent by self-proclaimed pharmacists to international monetary agencies accuse officials in the Ministry of National Health and its affiliated institutions of corruption and money laundering. The accused individuals requested the FATF, IMF, World Bank, and WHO to terminate funding and loans to Pakistan.
Accused’s History of False Complaints and International Approach
The principal accused, who claims to be the secretary general of an unregistered pharmacist association, has a history of filing false and frivolous complaints before Pakistani authorities and judicial forums. The official clarified that these complaints have already been dismissed by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), National Accountability Bureau (NAB), and other institutions in Pakistan. However, in an attempt to blackmail health ministry officials, they have resorted to approaching international monetary agencies and financial institutions, which constitutes an act of sedition.
Likewise, these individuals have sent emails to the World Health Organization’s headquarters in Geneva, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO), and the Pakistan office, urging them to cease granting international accreditation to DRAP and provincial laboratories. They accuse DRAP and the ministry of being plagued with corruption.
The official emphasized, “DRAP is currently undergoing accreditation by the WHO and PIC/S (Pharmaceuticals Inspection Convention Scheme). This accreditation would position Pakistan among the world’s recognized authorities in healthcare. However, the anti-state activities and baseless complaints made by these individuals are hindering the accreditation process.”
Upon inquiry, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DRAP affirmed that their officials, including those taking action against counterfeit and unregistered drugs, have been subjected to blackmail for the past five years by a group of individuals who demand the withdrawal of their cases from the drug courts. These elements resort to various means, including mainstream and social media, to defame the authority and its officials.
CEO DRAP Asim Rauf stated, “All Chief Executive Officers of DRAP, including Dr. Muhammad Aslam, Shaikh Akhtar Hussain, and myself, have faced blackmail, threats, and pressure not to take action against those involved in the production of fake, spurious, and counterfeit medicines. Similarly, our senior officers responsible for licensing, registration, and combating counterfeit medicines are also being slandered and blackmailed.”
Asim Rauf lamented that baseless corruption accusations can easily be made in Pakistan without any evidence. He further revealed that no investigative agency, including the FIA and NAB, has found any truth in the allegations made by these individuals.
“However, in addition to lodging complaints with local investigation agencies, these individuals engage in anti-state activities by submitting complaints to the FATF, IMF, WHO, and other international agencies. This amounts to high treason and sedition. In response, the health ministry has requested the FIA and intelligence agencies to take action against these elements,” he added.
Key Points
- The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and intelligence agencies have been entrusted with taking action against individuals attempting to blackmail government officials by sending letters to international organizations.
- The intercepted letters, emails, and memorandums aimed to coerce organizations like FATF, IMF, World Bank, and WHO into halting funding and loans to Pakistan, citing corruption and money laundering allegations against Pakistani institutions and officials.
- The accused individuals, who have a history of filing false complaints, are resorting to approaching international agencies after their local efforts were dismissed, potentially obstructing the accreditation process of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) by the World Health Organization (WHO) and PIC/S.
Published in PakWeb, July 02, 2023.
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