The chief of the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) suspended three officials from the force on Thursday after they had been allegedly seen accepting bribes at Islamabad International Airport in a video which went viral on social media.
The suspended officials, who were allowing an international passenger to smuggle heroin to the UK, have been identified as Subedar Gohar and Constable Asim Baig while the third official’s identity could not be ascertained so far.
An inquiry committee has been established by Anti-Narcotics Force and further investigation 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.
The statement added that the concerned officials have been suspended until the finalization of the inquiry.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Federal Minister for Narcotics Control Nawabzada Shahzain Bugti also took notice of the matter and directed the authorities to carry out a detailed inquiry into the incident.
Viral video
In the viral video, one of the ANF officials could be seen offering the passenger that if he wanted to take the drugs, he will have to serve them. The official, then, could be seen taking foreign currency from the passenger in front of his colleagues who silently supported him.
The official says how much will you give? In response, the smuggler hands over two foreign currency notes to him, which he keeps. On asking for more, the passenger tells the ANF official that he has to take a meal, on which the official lets him keep some money and go.