By Khushal Khan 

ISLAMABAD - Political leaders and members of the public in Pakistan have expressed support for the country's "most honest" senior Customs officer Dr. Karam Elahi, calling for a transparent investigation and fair trial after his arrest by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

Awami National Party (ANP) President Aimal Wali Khan said on X that Elahi, whom he described as a senior Customs officer from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, had been arrested on what appeared to be “frivolous charges.” Khan called for his immediate release and said he should be afforded a fair trial.

Former Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan chief Siraj-ul-Haq also raised concerns about the case, saying Elahi’s honesty, dedication and integrity were well known in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He called for any allegations against the officer to be examined through transparent investigations, judicial oversight and a fair trial.

The calls for justice have also drawn support from members of the public on social media. Several people said they had known Elahi personally for years and described him as an honest, principled and dedicated public servant.

Mohammad Shirin Khan said he personally knew Elahi and described him as a person who did not compromise his principles for personal benefit or bow to pressure or influence.

He argued that allegations surrounding the officer’s arrest and reported pressure on his family should be examined through an independent and impartial process.

Inayat Ghawas Khan, who said he had known Elahi for around 30 years, described him as a competent and honest officer whose professional reputation could be confirmed by many people who knew him.

Other members of the public similarly praised Elahi’s integrity and professional conduct. Some described him as one of the most honest Customs officers they had known, while others called for justice and protection of his legal rights.

Muhammad Bilal said Elahi had served as a resource person at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Higher Education Academy of Research & Training and later as directing staff at the National Institute of Public Administration in Peshawar, describing him as dedicated to his work.

Mubarak Zeb, quoting Dr. Ilyas Syed, a former chief executive of the Paraplegic Centre Hayatabad who is now in the United States, said he had known Elahi for about two decades and considered him an honest, principled and courageous person.

A search of publicly available information also shows Elahi has held senior Customs positions, including Collector of Customs (Enforcement), Quetta.

The FIA and other authorities have not, in the material reviewed for this report, publicly provided a detailed response to the demands raised by the politicians and members of the public. 

However, calls are growing as the public demanding from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to request the Chief Justice of Pakistan to constitute a judicial commission for a fair investigation of the Elahi case.