ISLAMABAD: The federal government has removed Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director General (DG) Ahmed Ishaque Jehangir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Inspector General (IG) of Police Akhtar Hayat from their positions.
DG FIA Ahmed Jehangir has been reassigned as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Establishment Division. Sources indicate that his dismissal was prompted by the failure of several FIA officials and relevant authorities to curb human trafficking cases.
A government notification stated:
“With the approval of the Federal Government, Mr. Ahmad Ishaque Jehangir, a BS-21 Officer of the Police Service of Pakistan, presently serving as Director General, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), under the Interior Division, is transferred and posted as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Establishment Division, with immediate effect and until further orders.”
The reshuffle comes amid increasing concerns over human smuggling, with repeated incidents of illegal migration and migrant boat tragedies.
Earlier this month, a boat carrying migrants, including 66 Pakistanis, capsized off the Moroccan coast, resulting in at least 50 deaths. The vessel, which departed from Mauritania on January 2 with 86 people onboard, left 36 survivors, according to Moroccan authorities.
Pakistan has witnessed multiple migrant tragedies, including the capsizing of a boat near Greece on December 13-14, 2024, which claimed at least 80 Pakistani lives. The deadliest incident remains the 2023 Greek boat tragedy, where a fishing trawler carrying migrants capsized in the Mediterranean, killing hundreds, including 262 Pakistanis.
Meanwhile, KP IG Akhtar Hayat was removed due to his inability to maintain law and order in the province. Sources say growing violence in Kurram and persistent criticism of the KP government’s handling of security contributed to his dismissal. The federal government has also repeatedly condemned the KP administration for allegedly using state machinery for political protests.
Zulfiqar Hameed has been appointed as the new Inspector General of KP Police.
