Former Bank Manager Held At Lahore Airport In Rs10m Fraud Case

A former bank manager accused in a Rs10 million fraud case has been arrested at Lahore airport after returning to Pakistan from the United Arab Emirates, according to officials familiar with the investigation. The arrest marks a fresh development in a financial crime case registered in Faisalabad on the complaint of an Okara resident.

The suspect has been identified as Imran Sajid, who previously worked as a branch manager at a private bank's MA Jinnah Road branch in Okara. Investigators said he had already been declared a proclaimed offender, while his name had also been placed on the Passport Control List before he was detained on arrival.

Officials said the arrest was carried out by the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Wing in Faisalabad. The operation was conducted under the supervision of Faisalabad Zone Director Saqib Sultan and Deputy Director Tariq Mahmood, while a team led by Sub-Inspector Ajmal Hussain took the suspect into custody.

The case was registered after an inquiry into a complaint filed by Rehmat Ali, a resident of Okara. Authorities said the criminal case includes provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and sections of the Pakistan Penal Code dealing with corruption, criminal breach of trust and cheating.

According to the initial investigation, Sajid allegedly used his position as a bank branch manager to convince the complainant to invest Rs10 million. Investigators said the money was allegedly solicited with promises of high returns, but was not deposited into the bank as claimed.

Officials allege that the suspect and an accomplice misappropriated the amount instead of processing it through legitimate banking channels. When the complainant demanded the money back, the accused allegedly returned Rs2.5 million in cash and issued a cheque for another Rs2.5 million.

The cheque was later dishonoured, investigators said, leaving Rs5 million still outstanding. Authorities are now examining the financial trail and the alleged role of other individuals connected to the case, including any facilitators who may have helped in the suspected fraud.

The arrest is significant because financial crime cases involving bank employees often raise concerns about internal controls, customer protection and abuse of institutional trust. Officials said the investigation remains active and further legal action will be taken against anyone found involved in the alleged scheme.