ISLAMABAD: In a significant move to combat criminal activities, Pakistan’s National Central Bureau (NCB) of Interpol has issued a total of 286 Red Notices over the past seven months. This initiative, aimed at locating fugitives involved in serious offenses such as murder, fraud, terrorism, and human trafficking, was confirmed by Dr. Usman Anwar, the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
A Red Notice serves as an international request for law enforcement agencies to find and provisionally arrest individuals pending their extradition or other legal proceedings. Dr. Anwar, who also oversees NCB-Interpol Pakistan, underscored the agency’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with Interpol and international partners during the observance of the World Day of International Police Cooperation.
Comprehensive Overview of Notices Issued
During this timeframe, NCB-Interpol Pakistan issued a total of 290 notices, which included two Blue Notices and two Yellow Notices in addition to the Red Notices. Blue Notices are typically utilized to gather further information about a person, while Yellow Notices are designed to assist in locating missing individuals, often minors, or in identifying those unable to identify themselves.
Out of the 286 Red Notices, the majority—225—were issued for individuals wanted for murder or attempted murder. Furthermore, 33 notices were linked to cases of kidnapping, corruption, robbery, and cybercrime. The agency also issued 19 Red Notices associated with financial fraud, six related to human trafficking, and three for terrorism-related offenses.
International Cooperation and Results
Thanks to collaborative efforts, a total of 53 fugitives wanted in Pakistan for serious crimes were apprehended in various countries and subsequently extradited back to Pakistan within the same seven-month period. Dr. Anwar emphasized the increasingly international nature of crime, particularly highlighting challenges posed by cybercriminals and organized groups that operate across borders.
He noted the importance of seeking information from other NCBs to facilitate investigations within Pakistan, as well as sharing their criminal data to assist other nations. The role of NCBs is crucial in activating law enforcement actions in their respective countries, enabling direct collaboration even in cases where diplomatic relations may not exist.
Strengthening National and Regional Efforts
Dr. Anwar pointed out that when crimes extend beyond a nation’s jurisdiction, international cooperation becomes essential. Interpol acts as a pivotal platform for such collaboration. Within Interpol’s framework, NCBs contribute national crime data to global databases while adhering to their national laws, thereby alerting police across all 196 member countries about wanted individuals.
NCB Pakistan collaborates with national law enforcement agencies, other NCBs, and sub-bureaus globally, along with the General Secretariat’s offices, to manage cross-border investigations and arrests. He further remarked on the increasing regional cooperation as countries pool resources to tackle common threats.
Building Capacity and Future Commitments
Dr. Anwar affirmed that enhancing local capabilities is a priority. NCBs are developing training programs aimed at raising awareness among national police forces regarding Interpol’s tools and databases, ensuring effective utilization on the ground. He reiterated that FIA NCB-Interpol Pakistan is dedicated to ensuring that no fugitive finds refuge abroad.
Utilizing the I-24/7 network and their array of international partners, they remain committed to pursuing criminals and bringing them to justice. Recently, in April, Interpol issued Red Notices for Bahria Town owner Malik Riaz and his son, Ali Riaz, as confirmed by the Chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Lt General (retired) Nazir Ahmed. Moreover, last month, the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) detained two suspects and began the process of issuing Red Notices for an additional four alleged members of the ‘Tycoon2FA Cybercrime Network.’
