Pakistan to work with US to bring main federal investigation agency to FBI standards

US Deputy Chief of Mission Natalie A. Baker speaks during a meeting with Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi at the Ministry of Interior in Islamabad on December 10, 2024. (APP)

• Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi discusses modernizing Federal Investigation Agency with US Deputy Mission Chief Natalie Baker
• FIA is tasked with investigations into terrorism, espionage, smuggling, trafficking, intellectual property rights, other crimes

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met US Deputy Chief of Mission Natalie A. Baker in Islamabad on Tuesday and discussed modernizing Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency to bring it at par with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The FIA is a border control, criminal investigation, counterintelligence and security agency under the control of the Interior Secretary of Pakistan, tasked with probing terrorism, espionage, smuggling, trafficking, intellectual property rights and other crimes.
The FIA’s main goal and priority is to protect national interests as well as defend Pakistan’s interests locally and uphold and ensure law enforcement in the country.
“The United States has agreed to assist Pakistan in modernizing FIA along the lines of FBI,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said in a report after Naqvi’s meeting with Baker.
“The United States will also provide assistance in making the National Forensic Agency more effective as per the modern requirements.”
Quoting Naqvi, Radio Pakistan said the minister underscored the importance of US collaboration in enhancing the capabilities of Pakistani law enforcement agencies.
“He stressed the urgent need for providing modern equipment and tools to the Civil Armed Forces to effectively deal with terrorism and emergency situations, calling it a top priority,” the state broadcaster added. 
The FBI is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States and its principal federal law enforcement agency. As a leading counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and criminal investigative organization, the FBI has jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crimes. Although many of the FBI’s functions are unique, its activities in support of national security are comparable to those of the British MI5 and NCA, the New Zealand GCSB and the Russian FSB. 
Despite its domestic focus, the FBI also maintains a significant international footprint, operating offices in US embassies and consulates around the world.