PSM theft case: No progress made by FIA despite multiple letters

Despite multiple letters sent to the federal authorities over complaint of the People’s Workers Union, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has made no progress on the investigation into the Rs10 billion theft case in the state-owned Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM).

On July 1, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) wrote a letter to order the ministry of industries and the FIA to launch a probe and prepare a comprehensive report within seven days in the PSM theft case.

The PSM theft incidents were reported by the People’s Workers Union and appealed for a suo motu notice or probe through FIA against the PSM board of directors and management for their criminal negligence which costs the mills and exchequer Rs284 billion from 2018 to April 2022.

Later on July 18, the ministry of industries wrote a letter to FIA for launching an expeditious inquiry into the alleged theft incidents to unearth the real culprits.

The content of the letter stated, “is stated that an employee of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) namely Engr. Abdul Rehman. A-XEN, CMD Security wrote an application to Chief Executive Officer, PSM, and informed that various theft incident have taken place in almost all departments at the main plant of PSM. He has alleged that senior officers from PSM administration are involved in these theft cases. He further claims that theft at main plant is impossible without the involvement of security department. As per the applicant (Engr. Abdul Rehman, A-XEN, CMD/Security), the value of the stolen material is PKR 10 billion. He apprised that he has enough evidence that the officers of PSM are involved in these theft cases and he will hand over the evidence to FIA (Copy enclosed).”

It added, “An inquiry was initiated by the PSM which is in progress. The attached letter of PSM reflects the progress made in the said inquiry in PSM on these cases of theft. (copy enclosed). However, as the allegations are serious and the transparency of the PSM management has been challenged, a fair and transparent investigation in the subject case of theit is needed. The applicant (Engr. Abdul Rehman, A XEN. CMD Security) has also requested that these the cases may be referred to FIA for investigation.”

On July 20, the PAC once again wrote letter to the National Assembly (NA) Secretariat to make progress on the inquiry into the PSM theft case.

The letter read, “The undersigned is directed to refer to this Secretariat’s letter of even number dated the 1st July, 2022 on the above subject and to state that the requisite report is still awaited. It is, therefore once again requested that the same may be provided to this Secretariat on priority basis for placing the same before the Public Accounts Committee.”

However, the FIA did not take any action against the suspects.

Sources told News360 that a major-ranked officer was also among the suspects who were involved in the PSM theft incidents. They said that the federal authorities were still reluctant to take action against the culprits in the PSM theft case which caused hefty financial losses to the mills.