A local court in Lahore on Thursday approved a two-day physical remand of Assistant Director Shoaib Riaz in a bribery case against officials of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
Judicial Magistrate Naeem Wattoo heard the case at the District Courts. The court ordered that the remaining accused be sent to judicial custody.
During the hearing, the magistrate questioned the need for further remand, asking, “Why do you need more time for investigation? What else is left to extract?” The judge remarked that, given the pace of the investigation, even 14 days would not be enough to complete it.
The prosecution responded that the magnitude of the corruption was such that even 14 months would be insufficient for a full investigation.
Magistrate Wattoo observed that those involved in corruption should be pursued for generations, adding that “being wealthy is not a crime, but becoming rich through corruption is.”
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has already registered a case against the accused officers.
Meanwhile, sources said seven arrested officers of the NCCIA have tendered their resignations, which have been received by the Interior Ministry.
The resignations were reportedly sent two days ago by the NCCIA to the ministry, which has yet to approve them.
Last week, the Anti-Corruption Circle Lahore registered a corruption case against eight NCCIA officials, including an additional director, a deputy director, assistant directors, and sub-inspectors.
