RAWALPINDI:
The Anti-Corruption Circle of the Federal Investigation Agency in Islamabad arrested National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) deputy director Salman Awan Alvi and sub-inspector Sarim Ali in the Chinese call center mega-corruption scandal. The main suspects were detained outside the court after their pre-arrest bail was cancelled. Meanwhile, their alleged leader Mohiuddin’s bail was also rejected due to his absence.
According to details, the FIA Anti-Corruption Circle in Islamabad arrested Anti-Blasphemy Unit Deputy Director Salman Awan and Sub-Inspector Sarim Ali immediately after the cancellation of their bail. The third accused, Tahir Mohiuddin, failed to appear before the Special Central Judge, resulting in the cancellation of his pre-arrest bail.
It may be recalled that shocking revelations had emerged in the Chinese call center corruption scandal. The FIA had already registered a case against two additional directors, several other officials, staff members and a Chinese national. The investigation revealed that 15 illegal call centers in Rawalpindi were paying Rs 15 million monthly in bribes. Additional director Shehzad Haider’s team allegedly raised this money through their leader Hassan Ameer. A total of Rs 120 million was received between September 2024 and April 2025. Sub-inspector Bilal allegedly set the monthly payment for a new call center at Rs 800,000.
Similarly, a raid was carried out on a call center in Islamabad’s sector F-11, which was later converted into a negotiated settlement. SHO Mian Irfan reportedly closed that deal for Rs 40 crore. In May 2025, when Aamir Nazir took charge of the Rawalpindi office, Deputy Director Nadeem Khan and Sub-Inspector Sarim Ali were posted alongside him. Anti-Blasphemy Unit Deputy Director Salman Awan also joined the team. This group allegedly continued to collect Rs 15 million per month in bribes.
Sub-inspector Sarim appointed his secretary, Mohiuddin, as his front man. In another raid in Rawalpindi, 14 Chinese nationals were arrested. Sarim, through his leader, contacted the wife of a Chinese national named Kelvin. She allegedly paid Rs 8 million for the release of her husband, while Rs 12 million was reportedly charged for the release of the remaining 13 Chinese nationals. Sarim is also accused of torturing the husband of a woman named Areeba and sending him the video. The accused allegedly demanded an additional Rs 1 million to complete the legal formalities. A total of 21 million rupees raised in this raid were distributed among the team members.
According to the investigation file, Sarim Ali received 1.7 million rupees; Usman Basharat received 1.4 million rupees; and Zaheer Abbas received Rs 1 million. Deputy Director Nadeem reportedly received Rs 9.5 million from Usman Basharat’s office, while Additional Director Aamir Nazir allegedly received Rs 7 million. Nadeem pocketed 2.7 million rupees.
