Legal Help · Published October 15, 2026
FIA Pakistan: Role, Jurisdiction, and How to File a Complaint
The FIA's job has changed significantly over the years — here's what it actually handles today, and where to go if it's the wrong agency.
Quick answer
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), created under the FIA Act 1974, now primarily handles immigration and passport enforcement, human smuggling, and counterfeit currency across Pakistan. Two functions have moved elsewhere: anti-corruption went to NAB in 2004, and cybercrime investigation moved to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) after the PECA 2025 amendment. If your issue is a cybercrime complaint, file with the NCCIA, not the FIA.
The framework, layer by layer
A federal agency, created by a specific statute
The Federal Investigation Agency was established under the FIA Act 1974 (notified in 1975), following recommendations for a federal police-style organization to handle smuggling, currency offences, and enforcement of immigration and passport laws — its jurisdiction runs across all of Pakistan, not just one province.
Immigration, passports, and human smuggling are its core lane today
The FIA operates an Immigration Wing with offices in Pakistani embassies and consulates worldwide, and is the lead agency for anti-human-smuggling enforcement, alongside counterfeit currency and federal crimes generally.
Anti-corruption moved to NAB; cybercrime moved to the NCCIA
The FIA's role has narrowed over time by design: anti-corruption and economic crime functions were transferred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in 2004, and cybercrime investigation authority — previously the FIA Cybercrime Wing's job — was transferred to the newly created National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) following the PECA 2025 amendment.
Know which agency to actually approach
This narrowing matters practically: a cybercrime complaint today generally goes to the NCCIA, not the FIA, even though older guides and search results still point to the FIA Cybercrime Wing. For immigration, passport, human trafficking, or counterfeit currency matters, the FIA remains the right agency.
Why so much outdated advice still points to the FIA
For years, the FIA Cybercrime Wing was the default answer to "who do I report a cybercrime to in Pakistan" — which is why a large amount of older content, and even some current search results, still direct cybercrime victims to fia.gov.pk or the old complaint.fia.gov.pk portal. Since the PECA Amendment Act 2025 created the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) with exclusive investigative authority under Section 29(1) of PECA, that's no longer accurate for cybercrime specifically — the right first stop is complaint.nccia.gov.pk or the 1799 helpline.
For everything outside cybercrime — a lost or fraudulently obtained passport, a suspected human-trafficking case, currency counterfeiting, or an immigration-related complaint — the FIA remains the correct agency, and its international Immigration Wing offices are specifically built for cases involving overseas Pakistanis.
What Wakeel.org can help with
Explaining the FIA's current role and helping you figure out whether the FIA, the NCCIA, or another agency is the right place to file.
What it cannot do
It cannot file a complaint with the FIA on your behalf or represent you — the agency itself, or a licensed advocate, should handle that.
Frequently asked questions
What does the FIA do in Pakistan?
The Federal Investigation Agency handles immigration and passport enforcement, anti-human-smuggling operations, counterfeit currency, and other federal crimes across Pakistan. Its role has narrowed over time — anti-corruption moved to NAB in 2004, and cybercrime investigation moved to the NCCIA after the PECA 2025 amendment.
Is the FIA still responsible for cybercrime complaints?
No, not primarily. Since the PECA Amendment Act 2025, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has exclusive investigative authority over PECA cybercrime cases. The FIA's older Cybercrime Wing channels are being superseded by the NCCIA's own complaint system.
How do I contact the FIA for an immigration or passport issue?
The FIA's Immigration Wing operates offices in major Pakistani cities and in Pakistani embassies and consulates abroad — the FIA's official website (fia.gov.pk) lists current contact points and complaint procedures for immigration, passport, and human-smuggling matters.
What law created the FIA?
The Federal Investigation Agency Act, 1974 (Act VIII of 1975), which established the agency under the federal Ministry of Interior with nationwide investigative jurisdiction.
Can Wakeel.org tell me whether to file with the FIA or the NCCIA?
Wakeel.org can explain the general division of responsibility between the FIA and the NCCIA based on the type of issue you're describing. It cannot file a complaint on your behalf or guarantee which agency will take up a specific case — a licensed advocate can confirm the right forum for your facts.
General educational information, not legal advice. See our full disclaimer.
Related reading
Not sure whether to approach the FIA or another agency?
Ask Wakeel to help you identify the right forum — then verify with a licensed advocate before you file.