ISLAMABAD: Newly-appointed Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday asked the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to catch big fish to prove its performance.

Known for his speedy work during his stint as caretaker Punjab chief minister, Mr Naqvi assumed charge of his office and visited both ministries under him as well as the FIA headquarters where he was given detailed briefings.

“The FIA is an important institution with regard to national security and we have to bring it at par with international standards,” the minister said while addressing officials of the country’s premier investigation agency.

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Giving policy guidelines, the interior minister said the FIA had to play an important role in curbing spurious medicines available in the market, electricity theft, illegal currency business, human trafficking and smuggling of dollars abroad. He directed completion of work on all pending promotion cases in the FIA within 30 days.

Interior Secretary Aftab Akbar Durrani and senior ministry officials welcomed the minister on his arrival. After a detailed introduction with the senior officials, an important meeting was presided over by the interior minister. He was given a detailed briefing on the interior ministry and its subsidiaries.

According to the statement issued by the interior ministry, Mohsin Naqvi said peace and security of people would be ensured in the country.

Later, he visited to the Ministry of Narcotics Control where Federal Secretary retired Capt Munir Azam briefed him about the functions of the ministry.

The minister decided not to use his office at the narcotics control ministry and retain only one office in the interior ministry.

“One office is enough for me and the other one would be a waste of resources,” the minister was quoted as saying in the statement issued by the interior ministry.

He also directed that his staff working in that office to be deputed to some other departments of the ministry.

Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2024