The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested six officers of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on charges of corruption and abuse of power, their counsel confirmed on Monday.

Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq, representing the accused, said his clients were taken into FIA custody on allegations of bribery and misuse of authority. He added that the officers would be presented before a district court on Tuesday, where he would appear on their behalf.

The arrested officials were identified as Additional Director Chaudhry Sarfraz, In-charge Zawar, Sub-Inspector Ali Raza, Assistant Director Shoaib Riaz, Yasir Gujjar, and Mujtaba Kamran.

Chaudhry Sarfraz had reportedly been removed from his position last month amid multiple controversies and directed to report to NCCIA headquarters in Islamabad. He claimed he had requested a six-month leave after being transferred.

His removal followed three separate controversies — one involving actions against several YouTubers and social media influencers, including Saadur Rehman, popularly known as Ducky Bhai, and Rajab Butt, for their alleged involvement in unregulated online trading and gambling applications. Another incident pertained to a case registered against lawyers who purportedly tried to secure the release of a suspect from NCCIA custody. The third issue involved a dispute between a group of Lahore-based journalists and certain police officials, which was referred to the NCCIA for investigation. An FIA official confirmed that Chaudhry’s transfer was based on multiple complaints against him.

Separately, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) last Friday granted police an additional week to locate missing NCCIA Deputy Director Muhammad Usman, who reportedly disappeared on October 14. The case was filed by his wife, Rozina Usman, who claimed that her husband was abducted by four armed men. In a startling twist, Rozina herself later went missing, prompting the court to demand an updated report from the police regarding both disappearances.