FIA Act & Agency Overview
Everything FIA SI/ASI/Constable/LDC/UDC candidates need to know about the agency itself — mandate, ministry, headquarters, and every operational wing — plus 8 test-yourself questions.
When was the FIA established?
The Federal Investigation Agency was established in 1975 under the Federal Investigation Agency Act, 1974.
Which ministry does the FIA report to?
The FIA operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Interior, Government of Pakistan.
What is the FIA's core mandate?
A federal law-enforcement and criminal-investigation agency handling terrorism-related referrals, smuggling, economic crime, human trafficking, cyber crime and other federal offences that cross provincial jurisdiction — distinct from provincial police, which handle local law and order.
Where is FIA Headquarters located?
Islamabad, with zonal and regional offices in every province and major city.
Wings of the FIA
The FIA is organized into specialized wings, each responsible for a category of federal crime. Recruitment tests regularly ask which wing handles which offence.
Anti-Corruption
Investigates corruption by federal government employees and public office holders. Traces its roots to the Special Police Establishment (SPE) set up at independence, merged into FIA in 1974.
Economic Crime Wing
Handles money laundering, Hundi/Hawala transactions, illegal money/value transfer services (MVTS), and banking fraud. Investigates Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) under anti-money-laundering law.
Anti-Human Trafficking & Smuggling (AHTC)
Deals with organized human trafficking and migrant smuggling. Headed by an Additional Director General at FIA Headquarters.
Immigration Wing
Controls entry and exit at Pakistan's airports, seaports and land borders; checks travel documents and investigates human smuggling routes.
Cyber Crime Wing (NR3C)
The National Response Centre for Cyber Crime investigates hacking, online fraud, digital harassment and other offences under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Wing
Enforces copyright, trademark and patent law — action against counterfeit goods and piracy.
Interpol Wing (NCB)
Pakistan's National Central Bureau for Interpol — coordinates with international law enforcement on cross-border crime, extraditions and red notices.
Legal Wing
Handles prosecution and legal proceedings arising from FIA investigations in the special courts set up under the FIA Act.
Test Yourself
- Q1
In which year was the FIA established under the FIA Act?
💡 Explanation:The Federal Investigation Agency Act, 1974 came into force and the agency was established in 1975.
- Q2
The FIA operates under which federal ministry?
💡 Explanation:FIA is administratively controlled by the Ministry of Interior.
- Q3
Which FIA wing investigates hacking and online fraud?
💡 Explanation:The National Response Centre for Cyber Crime (NR3C) is FIA's cyber crime wing.
- Q4
FIA's Anti-Corruption Wing traces its origin to which pre-independence-era body?
💡 Explanation:The SPE was set up at independence to fight corruption and was merged into FIA in 1974.
- Q5
Which wing handles Hundi/Hawala and money-laundering cases?
💡 Explanation:The Economic Crime Wing investigates money laundering, Hundi/Hawala, and illegal value transfer services.
- Q6
FIA acts as Pakistan's National Central Bureau for which international body?
💡 Explanation:FIA's Interpol Wing (NCB) coordinates with international law enforcement.
- Q7
Which wing checks passports and travel documents at airports and land borders?
💡 Explanation:The Immigration Wing controls entry/exit points and travel-document checks.
- Q8
FIA Headquarters is located in which city?
💡 Explanation:FIA Headquarters is in Islamabad, with zonal offices across the provinces.