Pakistan cyber crime official transferred amid high-profile gambling probe
Department officially confirms he was not suspended despite circulating rumors
Laiba Zainab
Correspondent
Laiba Zainab is an award-winning journalist with nearly a decade of experience in digital media. She has received the DW & CEJ-IBA Data Journalism Award and the top digital media prize at the National Media Fellowship. At NUKTA, she covers underreported stories on health, crime, and social justice.
Sarfraz Chaudhary, former Additional Director of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency's Lahore office.
Muhammad Sarfraz Ch / FB
Sarfraz Chaudhary moved from Lahore to Islamabad, denies suspension rumors
Officer was investigating social media influencers promoting illegal gambling apps
A senior Pakistani law enforcement officer leading a crackdown on social media influencers promoting illegal gambling apps has been transferred from his post, with officials confirming he was not suspended despite speculation about the future of the high-profile investigation that has already netted the country's most popular YouTuber.
Sarfraz Chaudhary, former Additional Director of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency's Lahore office, was transferred to Islamabad and has applied for six months of leave, he said in a statement to Nukta, addressing widespread rumors about his status.
"I have not been dismissed/suspended," Chaudhry told Nukta in a voice message. "My narrative today is the same as it was before. The state's narrative is my narrative. The mission that I had undertaken, we will complete it to the end."
Syed Najeebul Hassan, press relations officer for the NCCIA, confirmed Sunday that Chaudhry is "close to headquarters, not suspended," officially denying the suspension claims that had circulated in local media.
Gambling probe
The transfer comes amid Chaudhry's investigation into YouTuber Saadur Rehman, known as Ducky Bhai, who was arrested in August for allegedly promoting gambling platforms including Binomo, 1xBet, and Bet365. Rehman remains in custody as investigators examine seized electronic devices.
Chaudhry pushed back against what he called "unlawful trolling" regarding suspension rumors, expressing confidence that his successor would handle cases "very strictly." He emphasized that state employees would "fight for the state until the last drop of blood."
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