PARC chairman, director establishment arrested over corruption charges

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested Dr Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Chairman of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), over charges of misusing authority and making illegal recruitments.

The FIA also took PARC Director Establishment Akhlaq Ahmad into custody during raids aimed at arresting 17 more officials linked to the case.

According to the FIA, the arrests were made following allegations of 332 illegal appointments against only 164 sanctioned posts.

The agency stated that both officers also face bribery accusations tied to the unlawful hiring process.

The suspects will be produced in court today to seek their physical remand.

Read more: Ishaq Dar to lead Pakistan’s delegation at SCO meeting

The case was registered after an FIA probe, launched on the instructions of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament. The PAC had earlier raised red flags over financial and administrative irregularities at PARC, particularly focusing on illegal hiring.

During a meeting held over two months ago, PAC members expressed concerns that only 164 posts were advertised, yet 332 individuals were recruited, a clear violation of government rules. Audit officials also pointed out the absence of domicile certificates for many appointees.

The PAC chairman alleged that the list of illegally appointed candidates included relatives of a federal minister and the PARC chairman himself.

Dr Ghulam Muhammad Ali was appointed PARC chairman by then-President Arif Alvi in July 2022, under Section 9 of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council Ordinance, 1981. The law mandates that a renowned agricultural scientist be appointed to lead the organisation.