KARACHI: In a deeply troubling incident, Muhammad Hussain Dars, an Assistant Entomologist at the newly proposed “National Food Safety, Animal, Plant Health, and Seed Authority,” which is set to replace the Department of Plant Protection (DPP), passed away under mysterious and deplorable circumstances allegedly linked to severe workplace harassment. Reports indicate that his superior, Muhammad Umar Rathore, an Entomologist (BS-17), allegedly played a central role in a pattern of corruption and abuse that reportedly led to Dars’s tragic demise.
The Accused and Allegations
Muhammad Umar Rathore, previously the subject of multiple corruption complaints, was transferred on administrative grounds from the Quarantine Section, Karachi, to the Locust Outpost in Mirpur Khas following an inquiry ordered by the Minister for Food Security, Rana Tanveer Hussain. However, within three months, he was transferred back to his former post by Waqas Alam, the former Director General, allegedly without ministerial approval. This move was reportedly facilitated through high-level political connections, despite corruption and abuse-of-power charges being proved against him in an inquiry conducted by Shahid Abdullah, the former Director General of DPP.
Rathore was accused of deliberately delaying exporters’ cases to extract bribes through his alleged associates. Additionally, he was reportedly involved in releasing infested import and export consignments of agricultural commodities in exchange for bribes. He also allegedly delayed the issuance of phytosanitary certificates for mango shipments treated by certain processing plants, particularly in collusion with RMC Karachi, significantly disrupting legitimate exporters. Furthermore, he failed to notify the suspension of M/s Hyder Shah Hot Water Treatment Plant despite receiving communication from Iranian authorities. Instead, he merely initiated a superficial inquiry without approval from the then Director General.
Rathore was also accused of suspending the first-ever registered Durrani Mango Processing Plant in connivance with RMC and Hyder Shah processing plants to establish their monopolies. Complaints against him were filed by affected exporters.
Reports suggest that Rathore enjoys the backing of Israr Khan and Hanzala Khan, reportedly based in London and fugitives from the law. Originally from Mardan, they are accused of operating illicit businesses, including gambling clubs, human trafficking, drug smuggling through the Balochistan and KPK borders, and unlawfully clearing agricultural goods. Rathore allegedly claimed close connections with trade sections of Pakistan’s embassies in Europe, particularly Brussels, as well as with senior corrupt officials in the DPP, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR), and the Prime Minister’s Office, whom he allegedly entertained during their visits to London and Europe.
Additionally, Rathore reportedly enjoys the patronage of Dr. Muhammad Basit, Deputy Director (BS-18), who is currently holding dual positions as Director Quarantine (BS-19) and Director Pesticides (BS-19) at the DPP. Another alleged supporter is Dr. Muhammad Qasim Kakar, Director Admin, who was deputed to DPP from the Balochistan Agriculture Research Institute Quetta in violation of Civil Servant Rules, replacing three regular Directors Technical at the DPP.
Israr Khan and his son Hanzala Khan are alleged to have manipulated bureaucratic and political connections to have three regular Directors Technical suspended. They purportedly arranged for their preferred officers, including Basit, Qasim Kakar, Umar Farooq, Umar Rathore, and Muhammad Taufeeq, to be posted at the DPP to facilitate their illicit activities.
Khan and his associates have been attempting to get the registration of Methyl Bromide 98% + Chloropicrin 2% from a Chinese manufacturer using forged documents since 2019. Previous Director Generals, except Dr. Falak Naz, refused due to regulatory inconsistencies, as China only permits manufacturing of Methyl Bromide 99%. This dispute reportedly led to a series of complaints and retaliatory actions against DPP Director Generals, ultimately resulting in their suspensions.
The integrity of Dr. Muhammad Basit, Dr. Qasim Kakar, Umar Farooq, and Umar Rathore is further questioned due to multiple criminal cases. FIR No. 4/2019 was registered in FIA, Karachi, against Dr. Muhammad Basit and Umar Farooq for allegedly accepting a bribe of 60 million to release infested GMO soybean vessels. Another FIR was registered against Dr. Basit in Bahawalpur for assaulting police officers. He is also known for excessive litigation, having filed over 15 cases against former colleagues and officials, hiring highly paid lawyers inconsistent with his known financial means.
Similarly, FIR No. 2/2024 was registered against Qasim Kakar for allegedly accepting a one-million bribe to release an expired chickpea consignment. Two of his associates, Waleed Mukhtar and Salman Shehzad, are currently in Landhi Jail, Karachi, for corruption and fraud (FIR No. 40/2024, FIA Karachi, on the direction of the Prime Minister). Additional corruption inquiries against Kakar involve embezzlement of over 80 million during his tenure in Musakhel District.
Despite their tainted records, Syed Bilal Haider, Joint Secretary, MNFSR, recently facilitated their appointments to key DPP positions. His motives remain unclear, raising concerns over systemic corruption within the ministry.
Harassment of the Deceased
Following Rathore’s transfer to Mirpur Khas, he allegedly pressured Muhammad Hussain Dars to sell pesticides and machinery procured by the DPP for locust control in the local market, forging records to show their usage in the Thar Desert. Dars’s refusal reportedly turned Rathore into his worst enemy, subjecting him to persistent harassment, verbal abuse, and threats of termination.
Dars confided in colleagues, including Dharam Pal, Assistant Entomologist, that Rathore boasted about his influential connections and threatened to have him dismissed or imprisoned.
Dars’s Final Hours
The day before his death, Dars made a desperate call to Muhammad Iqbal Abro, Assistant Director Admin, at 1:30 PM, breaking down in tears and revealing the extent of Rathore’s harassment. Hours later, he suffered a fatal heart attack. His family and colleagues attribute his death to extreme mental stress caused by Rathore’s relentless persecution. Dars had an unblemished career, and his contributions to locust surveillance and control in the Thar Desert were widely praised.
Political Fallout and Government Response
The case has taken a political dimension, with allegations that senior officials shielded Rathore. His reinstatement despite proven corruption and misconduct has raised serious concerns about systemic failures.
When contacted, Secretary MNFSR, Waseem Ajmal Chaudhary, assured that he would personally investigate the allegations surrounding Dars’s death. He promised thorough inquiries into harassment claims and disciplinary action against those found guilty. However, Joint Secretary Syed Bilal Haider hesitated to comment.
Meanwhile, no action has been taken against Allah Yar, a BS-5 Laboratory Assistant, and his brother Imran Ali, a BS-2 Naib Qasid, despite their attempted daylight kidnapping of a senior female officer near Jinnah International Airport, Karachi. Their criminal activities, including multiple FIRs for kidnapping, theft, and narcotics-related offenses, remain unaddressed due to alleged protection from corrupt officials.
Family Demands Justice
Dars’s family demands murder charges against Umar Rathore and his patrons, threatening protests and a press conference if justice is denied.
The tragic death of Muhammad Hussain Dars has ignited widespread condemnation, with calls for systemic reforms to prevent workplace harassment and ensure accountability. His passing serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked corruption and abuse of power.
