Islamabad, Pakistan: The war on corruption launched by Managing Director APP Asim Khachi is causing him death threats while DIG Islamabad has taken notice of the situation.
Asim Khachi, a career bureaucrat unearthed corruption of over Rs. 1.5 billion in state-run News Agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) after taking charge of the organization and he took swift action against culprits who are mostly employees of the APP but they also collaborated with outsiders for mega corruption. Having the political linkages and deep-rooted networking within the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the accused were considered ‘beyond the reach of anybody’ and were confident that nobody would dare to put a hand on them. However, Asim Kitchi not only gathered documented proof of their corruption rather moved ahead with the registration of cases against them. Now the matter is in court and the culprits want MD APP not to pursue the cases. In an attempt to harass Kitchi, they threatened him that he would be killed if he did not stop to pursue the cases in court.
The cases are related to 20 fake recruitments and 1.5 billion rupees in corruption against alleged ringleader Arshad Majeed whose son Chavez Arshad started making threats and public attacks with goons against witnesses. A month ago, a complaint was filed against the accused in Aabpara police station, the SHO did not take any action due to pressure from the mafia or because his fist was hot. DIG Islamabad Syed Ali Raza has now assured immediate action against the accused Chavez Arshad, who threatened to kill Muhammad Asim Khachi and bomb his family.
A delegation of APP journalists led by APP Employees Union President Malik Khizr, General Secretary Nadeem Iqbal, and Director Crime and Courts Malik Rashid attended the Khuli Kachari (Open Court) in Aabpara police station, Islamabad and informed DIG Islamabad Syed Ali Raza that MD APP Muhammad Asim Khachi had investigated a case of corruption and fake recruitment worth Rs 1.5 billion in the institution and handed over the case to the FIA. In the fake recruitment case, mafia leader Arshad Majeed and other accused were convicted and remained in jail, while the inquiry into other cases of corruption is ongoing. Due to this, Chavez Arshad, the son of Arshad Majeed, threatened to kill MD Muhammad Asim Khachi and blow up his family with a bomb and asked to close the inquiry immediately. In court, Chavez Arshad tried to attack the APP legal team along with the gangsters several times. MD APP Muhammad Asim Khachi applied for action at Aabpara police station on December 12, 2024, and after that, he also made repeated reminders but the SHO of Aabpara police station showed extreme negligence and carelessness and did not pay any attention. The accused got a free pass, after which the accused started surrounding MD APP and other employees of the institution. Unknown persons were seen roaming outside the APP. The vehicles were chased and on January 8, 2025, the accused Chavez tried to attack the President and General Secretary of the APP Union. The APP MD, legal team, and other employees are facing serious threats from the corrupt mafia.
DIG Islamabad Syed Ali Raza, after hearing the complaints of APP journalists, issued instructions to start immediate action in this regard and said that the protection of all employees and journalists is the primary responsibility of the police. He assured that the elements threatening to kill a senior government official will be brought to justice.
Meanwhile, the Association of Private News Agencies of Pakistan (APNAP) has demanded immediate security of AAP employees including the MD of the organization. Agha Iqrar Haroon has demanded the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar take notice and demand action within the Ministry or outside who protect the culprits.
