The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has reported a significant surge inthe number of individuals suspected of various wrongdoing being added tothe stop list or no-fly list, surpassing a staggering figure of 1,000. Thisdevelopment reflects a concerted effort by higher authorities to tightentheir grip on influential figures believed to be responsible forexacerbating the ongoing economic crisis.
Sources within the FIA have disclosed that this stop list comprises namesof associates closely linked to prominent individuals, including officersassociated with former Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.
Notably, the list does not discriminate based on political affiliations, asit encompasses several political figures and government officers from theprevious administration, further extending its reach to encompassbusinesspersons, real estate developers, and industrialists.
The criteria for inclusion are diverse, encompassing allegations ofcorruption, tax evasion, involvement in illegal financial transactions likehawala hundi, and smuggling of various commodities such as currency, sugar,and petrol. Furthermore, even donors of a political party have foundthemselves listed among those under scrutiny.
In response to this escalating situation, immigration personnel stationedat the country’s airports have been issued directives to preventindividuals on the stop list from traveling abroad. This intensified actioncomes on the heels of an earlier move where Customs officers facing chargesrelated to ‘speed money’ were placed on the FIA’s stop list, effectivelyrestricting their ability to flee the country.
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Among the accused officers were Customs Collectors Saqif Saeed, UsmanBajwa, and Amir Them, with Yawar Abbas and Tariq Mehmood already in custodydue to corruption allegations. Additionally, the notorious chalia smuggler,Imran Noorani, also saw his name added to the stop list.
This concerted effort by the FIA and other relevant authorities signifies adetermined stance against corruption and malpractice within varioussectors, aiming to bring those accountable to justice and prevent potentialflight abroad to evade prosecution
