ISLAMABAD: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director General Dr Usman Anwar has noticed an incident during a raid in Sarafa Bazar, Karachi and has requested a detailed report within 48 hours.
On May 15, 2026, the agency carried out a raid on a jewelry store in the market, targeting alleged silver smuggling.
The FIA had initially taken the position that official records showed there should have been 178kg of silver in the store, but only 15kg of locally branded silver was recovered.
The agency claimed that the missing weight of 163 kilograms may have been removed during the disturbances caused by traders and shopkeepers in the market.
She further alleged that some people tried to aggravate the situation by forming crowds and disrupting official work, but the staff handled the matter with restraint. Furthermore, the Federal Investigation Agency said it had obtained digital evidence from the phones of suspects linked to the smuggling networks.
The FIA chief directed Karachi District Director to conduct a full investigation into the matter and ordered that all aspects of the incident, including legal proceedings, relevant evidence and materials circulating on social media, be examined impartially.
According to an FIA spokesperson, the agency is a professional organization that believes in transparent and impartial work in accordance with the law.
The spokesman added that strict measures will be taken against the elements involved in the incident and any illegal activities in accordance with the law.
They added that investigations have been opened against the suspects and facilitators on charges of smuggling, obstructing the work of government officials, and inciting crowds against state measures.
The agency stressed that the operation was against smugglers and economic criminals, not the broader business community, and that strict measures would continue against those intervening in legal operations.
In a related development, the Karachi district director met with representatives of the Pakistani Sarrafa Jewelery and Gemstone Association on Saturday to discuss the raid.
During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the accident and related matters, according to an FIA spokesperson.
The Karachi District Director assured the delegation that a full, transparent and impartial investigation would be conducted, with all aspects of the case examined in detail. He added that the rule of law will be guaranteed and no one is above the law.
“The FIA will give priority to legal requirements and institutional procedures in carrying out its professional responsibilities,” an FIA spokesperson said.
Issues related to mutual cooperation, building trust, and resolving issues facing the business community were also discussed.
The raid is linked to a broader case of silver going missing during transport after it was confiscated by Pakistani Customs.
It was reported in a Senate committee meeting on Friday that nearly 698 kg of silver was seized in various cases in Balochistan. However, during transportation, the shipment was found to contain only 298 kg of silver, while the remaining 400 kg consisted of lead.
Customs officials informed the committee that the matter had arisen At first glance To be an internal function and that the investigation has already been initiated by the FIA.
Senator Salim Mandviwala directed the Federal Board of Revenue to ensure recovery of the missing silver, identify those involved and submit a comprehensive report.
