ISLAMABAD (TNS): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered departmental proceedings against former Director General of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), Waqar-ud-Din Syed, following allegations of corruption and misconduct during his tenure, as well as confessional statements and video testimonies reportedly made by his subordinate officers.
According to official details, Grade-21 Additional Secretary Salman Chaudhry has been appointed as the Inquiry Officer to investigate the allegations. A formal charge sheet has also been issued against Waqar-ud-Din Syed. The former NCCIA chief has reportedly filed a petition before the Islamabad High Court seeking to stop the departmental inquiry on technical grounds.
It is pertinent to note that NCCIA officers Chaudhry Sarfraz, former Additional Director NCCIA Lahore, Zawar Ahmed, former Deputy Director NCCIA Lahore, and Muhammad Usman, former Deputy Director Operations at NCCIA Headquarters, who were arrested on allegations of corruption and bribery in connection with the case involving YouTuber and social media content creator Ducky Bhai and subsequently resigned from their positions, submitted written statements and recorded video messages in which they allegedly made a number of disclosures regarding the former Director General.
According to their statements, Waqar-ud-Din Syed allegedly encouraged the collection of illegal payments and extortion through subordinate officers operating in various NCCIA circle offices. They further alleged that unlawful sums of money were collected from officers posted in different circle offices in relation to appointments, transfers and administrative matters.
The officers also claimed that Waqar-ud-Din Syed allegedly received illegal financial benefits and bribes through subordinates and used his position to influence postings and official affairs. It was further alleged that he provided protection to illegal call centres operating in different parts of the country and received so-called “protection money” in return.
The allegations have raised serious questions regarding his integrity, impartiality and discharge of official responsibilities while serving as head of the agency.
According to charges framed by the Establishment Division, Waqar-ud-Din Syed allegedly appointed and retained officers of his choice at various circle offices and operational positions on the basis of personal and financial interests, creating an impression of abuse of authority and misuse of official powers.
The charge sheet further alleges that he exercised undue influence over postings and operational assignments within the organisation and maintained a network of favoured officers in key positions, allegedly for personal benefit.
Furthermore, he has been accused of poor administrative oversight, ineffective management and weak leadership of the NCCIA, which allegedly resulted in reputational damage to the organisation in both the media and public spheres.
The official document also raises questions regarding his assets and financial disclosures. According to available records, the total value of his assets stood at Rs2.46 million in 2002 and increased to approximately Rs20.992 million by 2018. He has been asked to explain the substantial increase in his assets and provide details regarding the known and lawful sources of income through which the assets were accumulated.
The Establishment Division has maintained that the allegations, prima facie, fall within the categories of corruption, abuse of authority, lack of integrity, misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a civil servant under the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020.
The departmental proceedings are expected to determine whether the allegations can be substantiated through evidence and whether further disciplinary action is warranted under the applicable service laws and regulations.
