FIA Anti Corruption Circle Islamabad has taken significant action in the ongoing Chinese call centre corruption scandal by taking into custody National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency Deputy Director Salman Awan Alvi and Sub Inspector Sarim Ali after the cancellation of their pre arrest bail. The two officials had appeared before the court, and both were taken into custody outside the courtroom once their bail pleas were dismissed. The bail application of their alleged frontman, Mohiuddin, was also rejected due to his absence from the proceedings. The developments mark a critical point in a case that has continued to expand in scale as investigators uncover layers of corruption linked to illegal call centres operating in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
According to investigation details, FIA Anti Corruption Circle Islamabad initiated action against Deputy Director of the Anti Blasphemy Unit, Salman Awan, and Sub Inspector Sarim Ali immediately after their bail cancellation. The third accused, Tahir Mohiuddin, failed to appear before the Special Judge Central, leading to the dismissal of his plea. The case gained prominence after earlier findings revealed extensive corruption linked to illegal Chinese run call centres. FIA had already registered cases against two additional directors, multiple staff members, and a Chinese national. Investigators reported that 15 illegal call centres in Rawalpindi were collectively paying fifteen million rupees monthly in bribes. The money was allegedly collected by a team overseen by Additional Director Shehzad Haider, with his frontman Hassan Ameer managing the transfers. Between September 2024 and April 2025, a total of one hundred and twenty million rupees was allegedly collected in illicit payments. Another part of the investigation states that Sub Inspector Bilal set a monthly payment of eight hundred thousand rupees for a newly established call centre.
Investigators further disclosed that a raid at a call centre in Islamabad’s F 11 sector later developed into a negotiated financial arrangement. SHO Mian Irfan reportedly settled the matter at forty million rupees. In May 2025, after Aamir Nazir took charge of the Rawalpindi office, Deputy Director Nadeem Khan and Sub Inspector Sarim Ali were posted to the same team, with Deputy Director Salman Awan joining soon after. According to the findings, this group continued the monthly collection system of fifteen million rupees. Sub Inspector Sarim allegedly appointed his clerk, Mohiuddin, as his primary frontman to manage payments and negotiations. One of the most serious allegations involved a raid in Rawalpindi in which fourteen Chinese nationals were detained. During this operation, Sarim, through his frontman, contacted the wife of a Chinese citizen named Kelvin, who allegedly paid eight million rupees for her husband’s release. Reports further claim that an additional twelve million rupees was taken for the release of the remaining thirteen Chinese nationals.
The investigation record states that Sarim is accused of torturing the husband of a woman named Areeba and sending her a video, followed by a demand for an additional one million rupees to complete legal documentation. A total of twenty one million rupees collected from this raid was allegedly distributed among team members. According to the documented breakdown, Sarim Ali received one point seven million rupees, Usman Basharat received one point four million rupees, and Zaheer Abbas was given one million rupees. Deputy Director Nadeem is reported to have received nine point five million rupees through transfers made from Usman Basharat’s office, while Additional Director Aamir Nazir allegedly collected seven million rupees. Nadeem retained two point seven million rupees for himself. The investigation continues as FIA reviews financial records, statements, and internal communications linked to the case.
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