Pakistani agriculture research chief arrested for corruption allegations

A Pakistani court on Monday granted authorities three days of physical custody of the chairman of the Pakistan Agriculture Research Center (PARC) over allegations of corruption, forgery, criminal misconduct and breach of trust.

Dr. Muhammad Ghulam Ali, who heads PARC and is a recipient of Pakistan's Sitara-e-Imtiaz civilian honor, was arrested Sunday by the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) Anti-Corruption cell from his residence.

A local court in Islamabad ordered the physical custody following his arrest on charges that allegedly caused huge financial losses to the national treasury.

Sunday's complaint

A complaint was registered by the FIA on Sunday in which 19 officers of PARC, including Ali, were nominated for allegedly conducting illegal recruitment for 332 posts against an advertisement for 164 posts from 2022 to 2023.

According to the First Information Report, the officers allegedly abused and misused their official positions for illegal financial gains that caused huge losses in salaries, honorarium as well as perks and privileges of the illegally recruited 168 officers to the national exchequer.

So far, Ali and Ikhlaq Malik, who serves as director establishment of the research body, have been arrested and sent to three days of physical remand.

During court proceedings, Ali told the court that advertisements were given for all the posts and committees were also constituted for the recruitment.

Two-week physical remand

The FIA prosecutor requested 14 days of physical custody for both the accused for the collection of evidence and completion of investigation. The court directed the investigation officer to conclude the investigation by July 17 and present both the accused.

According to an official document seen by Nukta sent from Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for Food Security and Research and president of the PARC, to the Director General FIA Anti-corruption wing, Ali is accused of grave financial crimes, including money laundering and illicit property acquisition.

The document alleges he laundered billions of rupees to purchase luxury properties in Canada worth more than 13 million Canadian dollars (approximately $9.5 million), far exceeding his known income, violating the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010.

He also allegedly embezzled public assets through the body's commercial wing, PATCO, by appointing a CEO without merit and facilitating the illegal sale of G-1 Garlic and GSR seeds, with proceeds purportedly routed to his son and brother's accounts.

Recruitment fraud

The document alleges Ali orchestrated massive recruitment fraud in 2022, hiring 332 individuals against 164 advertised posts through altered criteria and favoritism, violating merit, transparency, and constitutional quotas.

Additional alleged offenses include unauthorized approvals of millions in public funds, misuse of PARC vehicles despite transport allowances, and unauthorized disbursement of cash awards. He allegedly continued to exercise authority illegally after his term ended in July 2024, issuing more than 170 dodgy contract extensions.

These actions allegedly violate multiple laws including the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947, Pakistan Penal Code Sections 403, 409, 420, and Public Procurement Rules, 2004.

The document sent to the FIA corruption czar seen by Nukta states that immediate investigation, asset seizure, and legal proceedings are necessary to ensure accountability and prevent further misuse of public resources.