Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), Karachi In-charge Raja Umar Khattab and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) DSP Farakh have been dismissed from their positions because of incidents of short-term kidnapping and cyrptocurrency robbery.

Sindh IGP Ghulam Nabi Memon took action in response to such incidents. They have been instructed to report to the Central Police Office, according to a notification.

Mobile phones were used in both the short-term kidnapping and the Bitcoin robbery. Reports said that CTD officials have previously been involved in short-term kidnapping cases.

Online fraudsters in the city have allegedly received backing from the CTD, with monthly extortion payments being collected from various call centres involved in online fraud operations.

The Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC) in Karachi recently arrested seven individuals, including a CTD official, on charges related to the kidnapping of a cryptocurrency dealer and the transfer of $340,000 (Rs130 million) from his account.

The AVCC reported that on December 25, kidnappers travelling in a police vehicle abducted Arsalan, a cryptocurrency businessman, from Manghopir. They took him to the city centre, where they transferred money from his account before abandoning him near Quaid’s Mausoleum and fleeing the scene.

Authorities have stated that cases have been registered against the suspects under charges including kidnapping for ransom, and investigations have commenced.

The CTD reportedly has a source named Irfan on a monthly salary of Rs60,000 who provides information about illegal online activities, but CTD officers allegedly exploit such leads for their own gain.

On December 27, a case of short-term kidnapping was registered at the Manghopir Police Station, and on January 1, 2025, the case was handed over to the AVCC. The CIA police detained informant Irfan, prompting a crackdown against the CTD.

The CIA police arrested Haris Siddiqui (Ashar), “uncovering evidence” of a cryptocurrency account and dollar transfers on his mobile phone. Suspects Muzamil, Tariq, and CTD officer Umar were also apprehended, along with an Alto vehicle and $40,000 in cash.

CCTV footage has emerged showing two police vehicles from the Sindh police being used during the operation. One vehicle had CTD officer Ali Raza, part of Sub-Inspector Raja Basheer’s team while the other was under the use of Raja Farakh from the CTD. Tracker records have been obtained and the driver of the mobile remains in hiding at a secure location.

In CTD terminology, such illegal raids and the associated corruption worth millions are referred to as “Gray Night” operations. A second operation targets smugglers at Karachi’s entry points, termed “Terror Financing,” while a third operation against call centres is labelled “Operation Partnership.”