Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Interior met on Tuesday at Parliament House under the chairmanship of Senator Shahadat Awan, where members expressed strong concerns over FIA performance, rising pending cases, and increasing threats to lawmakers.
The meeting was attended by Senators Naseema Ehsan, Saifullah Abro, Umer Farooq, Palwasha Muhammad Zai Khan, Jam Saifullah Khan, Mir Dostain Domki, Dilawar Khan, Muhammad Aslam Abro, Muhammad Abdul Qadir, and Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry.
The DG FIA (NCCIA) briefed the Committee on decisions taken during the previous session and confirmed the arrest of those involved in fraud against Senator Falak Naz Chitrali. He also presented statistics on pending and disposed cases, which raised alarm among members. Senator Palwasha Muhammad Zai Khan highlighted growing public complaints against FIA officials, alleging extortion, while Senator Saifullah Abro questioned how certain FIA officers accumulated massive assets within a year.
The Chairman directed FIA to expedite the inquiry against responsible officers and submit a report to the Committee, saying that a sub-committee was not needed at this stage.
The Committee also received updates from Additional IG Sindh and representatives of IG Balochistan on progress in the murder case of Senator Aslam Abro's brother and nephew. Police teams are reportedly pursuing suspects in Quetta, with property confiscations initiated and bank accounts frozen. The Chairman ordered completion of the investigation within 20 days and noted his displeasure over the continued absence of IG Sindh, directing his mandatory attendance at the next meeting.
Senators Aslam Abro, Saifullah Abro, and Naseema Ehsan informed the Committee that they had been receiving life threats without being provided security. The Chairman directed IG Islamabad, IG Sindh, and IG Balochistan to provide immediate security until provincial threat assessment committees review the cases.
The Committee also reviewed the theft of 2,828 cartons of cigarettes in Swabi. FIA informed that the inquiry is underway, after registration of an FIR, and will conclude soon. Members demanded clear timelines and full clarity in the next meeting.
In another matter, the Committee reviewed the blocking of the passport and CNIC of Bayazid Khan Khatori, an Afghan national. DG Passports said the passport had been digitally blocked and the issuance case is under investigation. The Committee directed DG IandP and NADRA to expedite the process and submit a detailed report before the next meeting.