Karachi FIA scandal: Gold and Silver worth Rs. 6.4 crore allegedly missing from officer’s room

A major controversy has emerged within the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Karachi following reports that gold,

KARACHI:  A major controversy has emerged within the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Karachi following reports that gold, silver and other seized valuables worth approximately Rs. 6.4 crore have allegedly gone missing from a room assigned to an investigation officer in the agency’s Anti-Corruption Circle.

The FIA has arrested Inspector Sheikh Sohail Mahmood in connection with the case and registered an FIR to investigate the alleged disappearance of the precious metals and other seized items.

According to available documents, the case concerns valuables confiscated during operations conducted in Karachi’s Saddar Sarafa Bazaar on May 7 and 8, 2026. The alleged disappearance has raised serious questions about the handling, storage and security of seized property within the agency.

FIR Registered Under Multiple Laws

The case has been registered as FIR No. ACC-KHI-17/26 at the FIA Anti-Corruption Circle Karachi. The FIR reportedly invokes provisions of the Customs Act, 1969, Sections 409 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), and Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.

The investigation focuses on the custody of smuggled silver, gold and other materials seized during raids at several locations in Saddar. The documents identify the alleged misappropriation of property entrusted to a public servant as a central aspect of the case.

Details of Seized Valuables

According to the FIR, the seized items included 350 tolas of silver and 108 dies recovered from Shop No. 303-304. Another 265 tolas of silver, various dies, ledgers and registers were reportedly seized from Office No. 1101.

The seized property also included two silver bars, one weighing one kilogram, along with registers, official seals, a weighing machine and a locker recovered from Shops No. G-39 and G-41 at Gold Tower in Saddar, Karachi.

The case documents reportedly mention a total of 4,584 tolas, equivalent to approximately 53 kilograms, of silver, gold and related items. The estimated value of the seized property has been put at around Rs. 6 crore 40 lakh.

Valuables Allegedly Kept Outside the Malkhana

According to the FIR, the responsibility for the seized valuables had been assigned to Inspector Sheikh Sohail Mahmood, who was posted at the FIA Anti-Corruption Circle Karachi.

The FIR alleges that instead of placing the confiscated property in the agency’s designated Malkhana, the items were kept in a separate room secured with a personal lock and key. This arrangement has become a significant part of the investigation into the alleged disappearance.

Inspection Reveals Missing Property

According to the statement recorded in the FIR, Inspector Umair Shah inspected the Malkhana on October 20, 2026. During the inspection, Inspector Sheikh Sohail Mahmood reportedly informed him that the relevant seized items had been handed over to him.

The room was subsequently opened in Inspector Umair Shah’s presence. Investigators reportedly found that the locks on the room and locker were intact, with no apparent signs of forced entry. However, the gold, silver, dies and other confiscated materials were allegedly missing.

The FIR further states that the concerned officer was given an opportunity to produce the seized property or explain its whereabouts satisfactorily but allegedly failed to do so.

The FIA has registered the case against Inspector Sheikh Sohail Mahmood under the relevant legal provisions. Assistant Director FIA Waqas Ahmed Virk has been assigned responsibility for investigating the matter. The allegations remain subject to investigation and have yet to be established in court.