Jewellers Demand Transparent, Swift Probe into Major Gold Fraud CaseJewellers’ delegation visits LCCI

By Farzana Chaudhry
Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE, December 25: A delegation from the Jewellers Market, led by Abid Mian, visited the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and met with its President, Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol, to seek urgent intervention in a major gold fraud case that recently surfaced in Lahore. Senior Vice President LCCI Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh was also present during the meeting.
Other members of the delegation included Usman Rasheed Bhatti, Ahmed Siddiq, Zafar Saeed, Usman Butt, and Azam Khan.
The delegation voiced serious concerns over what they described as an alarmingly slow investigation into the case, stating that nearly fifteen days have passed since the incident, yet the affected traders have received no concrete information regarding progress or recovery.
According to the jewellers, the accused allegedly escaped with approximately 20 kilograms of gold through a well-planned scheme, inflicting severe financial losses and psychological distress on dozens of shopkeepers and their families. They said that the claims of the affected traders are fully documented, verified, and confirmed by the jewellers’ union, while the FIRs registered at police stations are based on verified facts.
The delegation highlighted that the most troubling aspect of the case is the uncertainty surrounding the accused’s whereabouts, with no clarity on whether he remains in the country or has fled abroad. Despite the availability of modern investigative tools such as CCTV footage, call data records, and other forensic evidence, they said the investigation has shown little tangible progress.
They further pointed out that critical elements of the case—including the alleged nighttime transfer of gold from the accused’s residence, vehicle movements, and statements of employees—have not been thoroughly examined.
The jewellers demanded that the case be transferred to a specialised unit of Punjab Police, such as the Crime Control Department (CCD), or assigned to a strong and competent investigation team to ensure a transparent, swift, and result-oriented probe. They also called for the issuance of an official progress report to restore confidence among the affected traders.
LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol assured the delegation that the Lahore Chamber stands firmly with traders in safeguarding their legitimate rights. He said the issue goes beyond individual losses and directly impacts the economy, business trust, and the overall market environment.
At the request of the affected jewellers, Saigol said LCCI would formally approach relevant government departments, police authorities, and other forums. He added that the issue would be highlighted in the media and, if necessary, a press conference would be held to urge authorities to expedite the investigation.
Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh emphasized that protecting traders’ confidence is the responsibility of the state, noting that timely and transparent investigations are essential not only for justice but also for sustaining business continuity.
The delegation appreciated the Lahore Chamber’s support and expressed hope that its intervention would lead to the swift arrest of the accused, recovery of the stolen gold and funds, and restoration of trust within the jewellers’ market.