FIA to probe agency raid on jewellery shop in Karachi’s Sarafa Bazaar

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Director General Dr Usman Anwar raised a point on the occurrence of a particular case during a raid in Karachi's Sarafa Bazar and asked for a comprehensive report within 48 hours.

The agency conducted a raid on a jewellery store in the market on May 15, 2026, concerning silver smuggling allegations.

While the FIA had earlier stated that the record showed that there should be 178 kilogrammes of silver in the shop, the recovery of 15kg of locally labelled silver was made.

However, it is believed that the missing 163kg of silver could have been stolen during a disturbance created by traders and shopkeepers at the market.

Besides this, it was alleged that there were some individuals who deliberately tried to escalate matters by gathering crowds. Nevertheless, FIA's personnel maintained their professionalism. Additionally, it was mentioned that the FIA acquired digital evidence from the mobile devices of the suspects involved in silver smuggling operations.

The FIA chief directed the Karachi Zone director to conduct a full inquiry into the matter, instructing that all aspects of the incident, including legal procedures, relevant evidence and material circulating on social media, be examined impartially.

According to an FIA spokesperson, the agency is a professional institution that believes in transparent and impartial action in accordance with the law.

They added that investigations were launched against the suspects and facilitators on allegations of smuggling, obstructing government officials, and inciting crowds against state action.

The agency stressed that the operation was against smugglers and economic criminals, not the wider business community, and that strict action would continue against those interfering in legal operations.