Islamabad : This is widely believed that prestige, respect, capability, honour, performance and professional approach of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has visibly improved, specially, during the ongoing year.
The FIA is a package of various anti-crimes and anti-state wings to perform for the state, but unfortunately, during the half a decade, the state agency was used for political grapple for making and breaking governments.
Cyber Crime Wing (CCW) is believed to be one of the most effective organ of the FIA, which deals with all the complaints falling under the preview of the Prevention of the Electric Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 of cybercrimes. It has specialised units which investigate complaints received from individuals, corporate sector and government department relating to cybercrimes. CCW has established 15 field circles to fight against the cybercrime. Cyber Crime Wing has taken many initiatives to educate the nation about seriousness of cybercrimes. It issues advisory notes and alert messages against cyber threats through social media. CCW also conducts Cyber Patrolling and investigate the cases of crypto currency.
Another vital organ of the FIA, the Anti-Human Smuggling Directorate deals with matters pertaining to prevention, investigation and prosecution of crimes related to human smuggling and human trafficking to and from Pakistan. AHS directorate maintains database of Human Traffickers, compile Red Book of High Profile, Most Wanted Human Traffickers and maintain liaison with NGOs, provincial police and international agencies /partners engaged in Anti-Human Trafficking activities in Pakistan. Moreover, the directorate through its international offices in Oman, Iran and Greece is successfully encountered the human smuggling issues. It organises the meetings of the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) constituted by the Government of Pakistan to fight against the menace of Human Trafficking in the remote area border areas.
The data management department of FIA is Integrated Border Management System (IBMS), which collects and manages data of all passengers entering or leaving Pakistan. It provides crucial technical support to FIA Immigration at international entry/exit points. IBMS data helps identify frequent travellers involved in currency smuggling, enabling targeted investigations. Additionally, IBMS supports various stakeholders and fulfils tasks assigned by the Ministry of Interior and courts, contributing to border security.
The FIA, in real time data sharing through API’s with different government departments to move forward for digital Pakistan. Following departments are getting benefits from this real time data sharing with Pakistan Online Visa System (MOI/NADRA), Currency Declaration System (Pakistan Customs), Device Identification Registration Blocking System to PTA and FBR), Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (BE&OE), Foreigners Dash Board (FNS), E-Passport (Passport Office), Punjab Police, FWO, FIA Cases Management System, Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU), Flight Manifest Comparison Report (FMCR) identified the passengers who have skipped.
The IBMS Immigration data feeding process and passed the stop list (ECL, BL, Interpol, PNIL) comparison steps. The Anti-Corruption Wing (ACW) plays a crucial role in combating corruption in Pakistan. ACW focus on various tasks such as dealing with Audit Paras under scrutiny in Public Accounts Committees and developing the Case Management System of FIA. These efforts aim to enhance transparency and efficiency in the agency’s operations. Regarding anti-corruption operations, there are 19 Anti-Corruption Circles of the FIA located throughout Pakistan. Moreover, they address offenses related to theft of electricity, gas, oil, and violations of the Human Organ Transplant Act.
Central Crime Record Office (CCRO) was established vide standing order of FIA, with the purpose to streamline the crime record by collecting, compiling, maintaining and updating information with regard to all sort of crimes being dealt with by FIA. The prime responsibility of CCRO is to maintain the record of all FIRs received by the zones and circles.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Economic Crime Wing (ECW) is termed as the backbone of the economic structure of the government. It issues guidelines for the EOs/IOs, makes arrangements for capacity building, identifies lacunas in investigational work and removes barriers at implementation level. It oversees the achievement of the targets set for the Agency by FATF for its periodical assessments. It also watches the operations of the Agency against the flight of capital from Pakistan.
National Central Bureau-Interpol (NCB) Pakistan became member of ICPC (International Criminal Police Commission) in 1952. The National Central Bureau (NCB) of Pakistan was created under the new constitution of ICPO in 1957. It has been attached with Federal Investigation Agency since its inception. The Director General/FIA is ex-officio, head of NCB-Pakistan. NCB Pakistan is linked with the Secretariat General (SG) of ICPO – Interpol Lyon with a Web based Communication System. During the period under reports, Interpol Red Notices were issued by Secretariat General of ICPO-Interpol Lyon France on the request of NCB Islamabad.
Counter Terrorism Wing (CTW) of the FIA, is a centre of excellence for specialised investigations. CTW has 11 notified police station out of which 5 police stations were operational to register cases pertaining to Anti-Terrorist Act (ATA), 1997, Prevention of Electronic Crime Act (PECA) 2016, Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) 2010, Cyber Terrorism and Official Secret Act 1923.
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) In April 2005, after the inclusion of Copyright Ordinance 1962 in the schedule of FIA, Intellectual Property Rights Directorate was established at FIA Head Quarters, Islamabad to deal with the enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in Pakistan and to ensure action against the piracy and illegal manufacture of counterfeit products. Trade Mark Ordinance and other IPR related Laws are closely associated with the subject and the same have not yet been placed on the schedule of FIA.
