FIA unveils Analysis Unit, advanced forensic lab

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has taken a significant step forward in enhancing border control and risk management with the inauguration of its Risk Analysis Unit (RAU) and Third-Line Technical Forensic Lab at FIA Headquarters in Islamabad.

This initiative is aimed at bolstering the agency’s capabilities in immigration management and combating illegal migration.

FIA Director-General Ahmed Ishaq Jahangir officially inaugurated the new units and reviewed the state-of-the-art equipment installed in the Risk Analysis Unit and forensic lab. The forensic lab was established with financial assistance from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Risk Analysis Unit was set up with support from the European Union and Austria.

The completion of these units was facilitated by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), which also assisted in the installation of second-line systems at airports in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Multan, and Peshawar, as well as third-line border control systems at the FIA Headquarters.

The new systems are designed to strengthen and streamline border control operations, helping to curb illegal migration. The establishment of the Risk Analysis Unit marks a significant advance in intelligence-based border management, focussing on data-driven policymaking, improved risk assessment, efficient resource allocation, and rapid response to emerging challenges.

A formal ceremony was held at the FIA Headquarters to mark the inauguration, attended by senior officials.

The event also featured speeches from Dr. Sebastian Laurion, Team Lead for Governance and Human Capital Development at EUD Pakistan; Marija Raus, Head of ICMPD’s Silk Routes Region; Peter Emil Nielsen, Deputy Head of Mission at the Danish Embassy in Pakistan; and Hans Machur, Chargé d’Affaires at the Austrian Embassy in Pakistan.

In his address, the FIA DG expressed gratitude to the international community for cooperation in establishing the Risk Analysis Unit and Third-Line Border Control concept. He emphasised the challenges posed by illegal migration, describing it as a significant economic, social, and political issue for Pakistan.

“Illegal migration has disrupted the labour market and increased the costs of border control,” he said, noting that the issue can only be resolved through cooperation and joint efforts.

He also praised the contributions of ICMPD and other stakeholders towards improving border control infrastructure, stressing the need for continuous training, innovation, and strong international partnerships to maintain these advancements.