The Federal Investigation Agency (acronym: FIA) (Urdu: وفاقی ادارۂ تحقیقات) of Pakistan is a national investigative agency with a wide role in anti-terrorism, anti-fascism, anti-corruption, human smuggling and copyright infringement policing, similar in function to the USA's FBI. The FIA was established in 1975 under the FIA Act, 1974 and superseded the Pakistan Special Police Establishment (PSPE).
Mission Statement
To achieve excellence in FIA by promoting culture of merit, providing continuous professional training, ensuring effective internal accountability, encouraging use of technology and having a meaningful feedback mechanism.
History
A federally controlled Police Establishment first came into existence in 1942 during the Second World War to take up investigation of corruption, rampant in the Supplies and Procurement Department of the then British Raj. It was named as Special Police Establishment. After the Partition of India in 1947, is was renamed to Pakistan Special Police Establishment (PSPE). The said establishment was given schedule of offenses with Ordinance VIII of 1948. With the passage of time, the PSPE, apart from investigating the offenses of bribery and corruption against Central Government Employees, was also given powers to investigate cases relating to the offenses under the following laws:-
i. Official Secret Act, 1923
ii. Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947
iii. Passport Offenses Act, 1952
iv. Customs Act, 1959
Structure of FIA
The FIA is headed by a Director General, generally a very senior Police Officer of BPS 21/22, with his Headquarters based in Islamabad. The incumbent DG FIA is Mr. Zafarullah Khan of Police Service of Pakistan. He has been in this position since December 7, 2009, succeeding the former DG Mr. Tariq Masood Khosa.
In his work he is assisted by three Additional Director General and ten Directors for effective monitoring and smooth functioning of the operations spread all over the country. Six Directors assist the Director-General at Headquarters in controlling the Functional Wings of Administration, Crime, Immigration and Anti-Human Smuggling, PISCES, SIG and Technical Assistance. Five Directors supervise the zones of Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta and Islamabad.
Director Generals of FIA
- Tariq Pervez
- Tariq Masood Khosa: 30 Dec 2008 - 7 Dec 2009
- Zafarullah Khan: 7 Dec 2009 -
2001-2010
2006-06
In 2005, the FIA led a series of high profile raids on companies involved in video piracy. It was also reported that 110 FIA personnel were investigated for their alleged role in human trafficking and most of them were dismissed from service.
In 2006, the FIA resumed operational links with its Indian counterpart, the Central Bureau of Investigation, after a gap of 17 years
2008 Lahore Bombings
The provincial headquarters of the FIA were targeted during the Lahore Bombings. The building was severely damaged during the suicidal attack
