Three officials from the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) have been suspended after a video of them accepting bribes at Islamabad International Airport (IIA) went viral on social media.
According to the details, following the video, the ANF launched an investigation into the matter after which the Director General (DG) of ANF placed the three officials of the force under suspension on charges of taking a bribe from a passenger to allow him to smuggle heroin to the UK.
The suspended officials of ANF have been identified as Subedar Gohar and Constable Asim Baig. However, the identity of the third official of ANF could not be ascertained so far. An investigation committee has been constituted by Anti-Narcotics Force and further inquiry is underway.
“In line with the work ethics of ANF characterised by integrity and professionalism, the video viral on social media implicating ANF officials in illegal gratification is being scrutinised through a very high-level inquiry to ascertain the facts and apportion blame,” ANF said in a press release.
Read more: Video: Saleem Safi says PMLN & Nawaz Sharif bribed journalists
Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif and Federal Minister for Narcotics Control Nawabzada Shahzain Bugti also took notice of the matter and ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident.
3 ANF officials suspended until outcome of the inquiry after viral video showed them taking bribes from a passenger. This won’t stop until there are consequences for corrupt behavior.
— Sana Jamal (@Sana_Jamal) December 2, 2022
In the viral video, an ANF official could be seen demanding water from the passenger, saying that “if you want to carry ‘goods’, then serve us”.
An ANF official takes a bribe from the passenger while other fellow officials silently support him. The bribe taker says how much will you give? The passenger hands over two foreign currency notes.
Read more: When did PTI get video of lawmakers receiving bribes before Senate elections 2018?
Needless to say, the viral garnered strong reactions from netizens as they criticized the officials for misusing their authority and carrying out illegal activities.
“Alarming secret recording of anti-narcotics force officials and officers taking bribes at Islamabad Airport. Think how they treat the overseas Pakistanis who support the country in every difficulty. Share this video to reach everyone,” journalist Iqrar ul Hassan Syed said.
اسلام آباد ائیر پورٹ پر منشیات روکنے پر مامور اینٹی نارکوٹکس فورس کے اہلکاروں اور افسروں کی رشوت لینے کی تہلکہ خیز خفیہ ریکارڈنگ۔
سوچئے ہر مشکل میں ملک کا ساتھ دینے والے اوورسیز پاکستانیوں کے ساتھ یہ کیا سلوک کرتے ہوں گے۔
اس ویڈیو کو ہر صاحبِ اختیار تک پہنچانے کے لئے شئیر کریں۔ pic.twitter.com/lkSH4PSQBR— Iqrar ul Hassan Syed (@iqrarulhassan) December 1, 2022