ISLAMABAD: FIA’s restructuring plan sent to CE Sectt
By Our Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD, Aug 3: The interior ministry has sent a summary to the Chief Executive Secretariat for the execution of restructuring plan of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and merger of its financial crimes wing with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
The summary has been prepared in the light of extensive negotiations carried out by the ministry with the provinces and brain storming at highest level, a well-placed source at the ministry told Dawn.
The agency would be bifurcated into three wings, one dealing with the white collar and financial crimes would be placed under the National Accountability Bureau, which is being given a constitutional cover under the proposed constitutional package.
The restructuring plan of the agency is being implemented under a two-pronged approach adopted by the government to separately deal with terrorism and corruption.
For law-enforcement and to check terrorism and sectarian violence, an elite Special Investigation Group (SIG) under the ministry of interior would be established.
The group would be a compact force comprising not more than 50 to 60 highly trained individuals with the clear responsibility to investigate high profile terrorist cases. The summary moved by the interior ministry also contained the legal framework for establishing this group.
The training and funds for equipment for this elite group is also being arranged through the foreign assistance. The US government has already given a package of 73 million dollars for strengthening the surveillance of country’s borders. In addition to 73 million dollars, the US is also providing an assistance of three million dollars for equipping provincial Central Investigation Departments (CIDs) and civil armed forces.
The immigration and passport wing of the FIA, which is being computerised and equipped with Personal Identification Security Checking and Evaluation System (PISCES), would also be separated.
FIA has recently recruited some female computer operators to handle the PISCES system, which has been installed at Quaid-i- Azam international airport.
The system in the second phase would be extended to all the main airports and eventually to all the 18 entry and exit points.
