Sri Lankan team attack: Cop nominated for gallantry award was not even there

Prominent journalist Shahid Aslam on Sunday, while citing an Intelligence Bureau (IB) report, revealed that the government withdrew from awarding gallantry awards to Director Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Lahore Sarfaraz Virk after finding that he was falsely nominated for the awards.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Shahid Aslam quoted an IB report as saying that the director of FIA Lahore had claimed that he, as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), escorted the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009 when terrorists attacked them in Lahore. 

“He [Sarfaraz Virk], as ASP, claimed to have escorted the guest team out of the attack venue by exposing himself to danger. The government announced a gallantry award for him. Later, it was proved that neither was he present at the scene nor he had done anything remarkable. The announcement of the said award was later withdrawn,” the report said.

On March 3, 2009, militants with rocket launchers, grenades and rifles attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team bus when they were headed towards Lahore Qaddafi Cricket Stadium for day three of their second test match against Pakistan.

The militant attack had left seven people killed, including six policemen, and another 20 wounded. Seven members of the visiting cricket team, including the assistant coach and umpire, were injured.

The report accused the director of FIA Lahore of various crimes, including malpractice and illegally acquiring money from Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO).

Under the chairmanship of Sarfaraz Virk, FIA was allegedly involved in acquiring money from LESCO under kickbacks, Aslam said while citing an IB report.

The journalist claimed that the report was forwarded to Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on 13 September 2024. In response, the PM ordered  an inquiry against him. 

According to a notification issued from the PM Office in September 2024, under the subject ‘Corrupt Practice – Connivance of LESCO & FIA Officials,’ the Interior Division was directed to take action against the officers/officials pointed out in the enclosed report within a week and submit a compliance report.

“Establishment division to place the report in the dossiers of the officers identified and keep a watch on their performance in future,” the PMO notification reads.

However, Shahid Aslam claimed that the secretary of the interior, who was responsible for initiating the inquiry against the Sarfraz Virk, has not yet taken any action.