ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has formally operationalized its National Forensic Agency (NFA) to strengthen criminal investigations and enhance its capacity to counter evolving security threats, the interior ministry said on Friday.
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant attacks as well as organized criminal networks involved in drugs, goods and currency smuggling, human trafficking and online scams and financial frauds.
During his visit to NFA headquarters, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the establishment of the agency was a key requirement of the modern era and the NFA will now be providing “state-of-the-art services that were not previously available with other institutions.”
“The establishment of this institution will help in national security matters and combating crimes,” he said. “This institution will now provide international-standard services and analysis in Pakistan.”
The NFA operates under Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which tackled crime ranging from human trafficking to financial fraud to militancy and corruption, but long faced constraints due to outdated tools.
During his visit, Naqvi visited the Research and Innovation Lab, Digital Forensic Lab, Narcotics Lab, Fintech Lab and Questionable Document at the NFA headquarters.
“The National Forensic Agency will provide support to all provinces and law enforcement agencies,” Naqvi said, adding the agency will have sub-offices in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
On the occasion, NFA Director-General Hasnat Rasool briefed the interior minister the agency was providing forensics and analyzes of deepfakes, computers and mobile phones, audios, videos and drones.
“Work on the second phase of the National Forensic Agency will be started soon,“
“Twenty-five specialized labs will be established at the agency in the second phase,” officials were quoted as telling Naqvi.
