A case has been registered by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Karachi after gold, silver and other seized valuables worth approximately Rs6.4 crore were allegedly found missing from a room assigned to an investigation officer. FIA Inspector Sheikh Sohail Mahmood has been arrested in connection with the case, and the alleged disappearance is under investigation.
According to the FIR, the valuables were seized during operations conducted at several locations in Karachi’s Saddar Sarafa Bazaar on May 7 and 8, 2026. The case has raised questions about the storage, custody and security procedures used for confiscated property held by the agency.
The case was registered as FIR No. ACC-KHI-17/26 at the FIA Anti-Corruption Circle Karachi. The FIR reportedly invokes provisions of the Customs Act, 1969, Sections 409 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code, and Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947. The allegations include the alleged misappropriation of property entrusted to a public servant.
According to the FIR, the seized items included 350 tolas of silver and 108 dies recovered from Shop No. 303-304. Another 265 tolas of silver, along with various dies, ledgers and registers, were reportedly seized from Office No. 1101. Additional items included two silver bars, one weighing one kilogram, official seals, a weighing machine, registers and a locker recovered from Shops No. G-39 and G-41 at Gold Tower in Saddar.
The case documents reportedly refer to a total of 4,584 tolas, equivalent to approximately 53 kilograms, of silver, gold and related items. Their estimated value has been placed at around Rs6 crore 40 lakh.
The FIR alleges that Inspector Sheikh Sohail Mahmood, who was responsible for the seized valuables, kept the items in a separate room secured with a personal lock and key instead of placing them in the agency’s designated Malkhana, where confiscated property is normally stored.
According to the statement recorded in the FIR, Inspector Umair Shah inspected the Malkhana on October 20, 2026. During the inspection, Mahmood reportedly told him that the seized items had been handed over to him. The room was subsequently opened in Umair Shah’s presence.
Investigators reportedly found that the locks on the room and locker were intact, with no apparent signs of forced entry. However, the gold, silver, dies and other confiscated materials were allegedly missing. The FIR further states that the officer was given an opportunity to produce the property or explain its whereabouts but allegedly failed to provide a satisfactory explanation.
Assistant Director FIA Waqas Ahmed Virk has been assigned to investigate the case. The allegations against Inspector Sheikh Sohail Mahmood remain subject to investigation and have not been established in court.
