ISLAMABAD   -   The federal government on Thursday removed Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director General Sanaullah Abbasi and appointed in his place Muhammad Tahir Rai, a grade-22 officer, according to a notification issued by the Establishment Division following approval of the decision by the federal cabinet.

Rai was serving at present as National Coordinator at National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) while earlier he also remained Inspector General of Police in Balochistan. He was considered as most experienced police officer in countering terrorism and he served twice as the head of Counter Terrorism Department Punjab and served there for more than 5 years.

He was removed from his position after the tragic incident of Sahiwal District but after sometime he was again appointed as the head of CTD Punjab. The removed DG FIA, a BS-22 PSP officer, Sannaullah Abbasi was considered very close to the previous government. He is directed to report to the Establishment Division till further orders.

Abbasi had taken charge as the FIA DG in June 2021 when he replaced Wajid Zia, who shot to fame after he headed the Panamagate joint investigation team. Meanwhile, another BS-21 PSP officer Mahmood Alam Mahsud serving in FIA is posted out from the agency and directed to report to the Establishment Division. Earlier soon after formation of the new government, the Director Cyber Crime Wing of the Federal Investigation Agency Baber Bakhat Qureshi, a BS 20 officer of the Police Service of Pakistan was also removed from his position and he had been directed to report to the Establishment Division.

On the other side, another BS 20 officer of Police Service of Pakistan Humayun Bashir Tarar, who was serving in KP government is brought back and placed on the disposal of the Ministry of Interior for his further placement in the FIA and he was appointed as new head of the Cyber Crime Wing.