FIA starts probe against bureaucrat for comments on social media

LAHORE: Director General Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Sanaullah Abbasi has started the probe against a Senior Joint Secretary of Cabinet Division for sarcastically comparing Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government with the Afghan Taliban.

According to FIA sources, DG FIA Sanaullah Abbasi has formed a team to probe the matter related to a Grade-21 senior bureaucrat Hammad Shamimi after Prime Minister Imran Khan had appointed him as the inquiry officer to conduct a probe.

“The FIA team will examine the charges and would then summon the accused bureaucrat for his statement in the coming days,” a senior FIA official told Bol News.

It may be relevant to mention here that the federal government and the Establishment Division had barred bureaucrats from making public comments unless they were allowed to do so.

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Senior Joint Secretary of Cabinet Division Hammad Shamimi had circulated a sarcastic text among his contacts through a social media platform WhatsApp in which he drew similarities between both the governments saying: “PTI government and Taliban regime resemble as both are confused how to run the government after assuming power, and both pin hopes on Aabpara”.

Taking strong note of the conduct of the senior bureaucrat, the PM had ordered an immediate inquiry and sought a report within a week after completion of the probe.

Following the development, Secretary of Establishment Division Afzal Latif issued the order about an inquiry against the officer.

“The Prime Minister in his capacity as ‘authority’ is pleased to appoint Mr Sanaullah Abbasi (PSP/BS-22) as Inquiry Officer to conduct inquiry proceedings against Mr Hammad Shamimi, senior joint secretary, Cabinet Division Islamabad,” the order read.

The FIA DG has been authorised to proceed against Shamimi under Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020. The FIA DG would submit a report to the authority with its findings as to whether the charge has been proved or not and with recommendations regarding exoneration or imposition of minor or major penalty on the accused officer.

As per statement of allegations, Shamimi has been accused of making “highly objectionable comments on social media platform/group in violation of Rule 22 of the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1964 and instructions contained in Para 4(iii), (iv) and (v) of the guiding instructions on use of social media by government servants issued by Establishment Division vide Office Memorandum…which is tantamount to misconduct under Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020”.