NFA Bill
The Senate unanimously passed the National Forensics Agency (NFA) Bill, 2024, on Friday, incorporating amendments to enhance forensic capabilities nationwide.
The bill aims to transform the National Forensics Agency project into an independent and full-fledged institution with a focus on combating crimes involving electronic devices and modern technology, including deep fakes.
Introduced by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on October 17, the bill emphasizes integrating digital and cyber forensics to address the growing threat of electronic offenses.
The statement of aims and objectives highlights plans to establish a digital forensic lab and develop a center of excellence alongside a research and development (R&D) department.
These measures aim to make the agency self-sustainable while fostering indigenous solutions to reduce dependence on foreign governments and agencies.
Law and Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, who presented the bill in the Senate on behalf of the interior minister, elaborated on its significance.
He explained that the establishment of the NFA would upgrade existing forensic labs and provide advanced services to all provinces, including Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and private forensic facilities.
The minister also stressed the importance of creating uniform standards and capabilities across the country, as the current fragmented forensic services fail to meet modern requirements.
Tarar noted that Pakistan currently relies on a single forensic laboratory in Lahore, which was established in 2010 under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
With this lab already overburdened, the minister emphasized the urgent need for each province to set up its forensic facilities. A state-of-the-art forensic laboratory, he added, would play a vital role in reducing crime rates and ensuring effective investigations.
Senators Quratulain Marri and Zamir Hussain Ghumro introduced amendments that were also approved during the session.
Previously, the federal government had proposed the establishment of the National Forensics and Cybercrime Agency (NFCA) to tackle cybercrimes using artificial intelligence and advanced digital technology.
The draft legislation prepared in July envisioned combining traditional forensic methods with cutting-edge technology, covering areas like DNA analysis, ballistics, toxicology, crime scene investigation, and artificial intelligence-based investigations.
I am a dynamic professional, specializing in Peace and Conflict Studies, Conflict Management and Resolution, and International Relations. My expertise is particularly focused on South Asian Conflicts and the intricacies of the Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific Politics. With my skills as a Content Writer, I serve as a bridge between academia and the public, translating complex global issues into accessible narratives. My passion for fostering understanding and cooperation on the national and international stage drives me to make meaningful contributions to peace and global discourse.
