Pakistan's Interpol Crackdown: 286 Red Notices Issued, 53 Fugitives Extradited

Pakistan's National Central Bureau (NCB) of Interpol issued 286 Red Notices in the past seven months to help locate fugitives wanted in serious criminal cases, including murder, kidnapping, financial fraud, human trafficking and terrorism, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director General Dr Usman Anwar said. Anwar, who also heads NCB-Interpol Pakistan, disclosed the figures while reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to international police cooperation on the occasion of the World Day of International Police Cooperation. According to the FIA chief, NCB-Interpol Pakistan issued 290 Interpol notices during the seven-month period. These included 286 Red Notices, two Blue Notices and two Yellow Notices. Of the Red Notices, 225 were issued against suspects wanted in murder and attempted murder cases. Another 33 notices concerned suspects wanted in kidnapping, corruption, robbery and cybercrime cases. The bureau also issued 19 Red Notices in financial fraud and deception cases, six in human trafficking cases and three linked to terrorism. The international cooperation also resulted in tangible arrests. Fifty-three fugitives wanted in Pakistan for serious offences were arrested in different countries and extradited to Pakistan during the same period. On UN International Day of Police Cooperation (7 Sept) FIA NCB-INTERPOL Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to international police cooperation – working hand in hand with INTERPOL and partner nations to combat transnational crime, uphold justice, and build a safer world pic.twitter.com/srwbtO0PdG — Federal Investigation Agency – FIA (@FIA_Agency) September 6, 2026 How Interpol Red Notices Work A Red Notice is an international alert requesting police cooperation to locate and provisionally arrest a wanted person pending extradition, surrender or similar legal proceedings. Importantly, a Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant. Interpol does not itself arrest people, and authorities in each country decide what legal action can be taken under their national laws. Pakistan's NCB in Islamabad acts as the country's central point of contact with Interpol and other National Central Bureaus. It uses Interpol's secure I-24/7 communications network to exchange criminal intelligence and access international databases in real time. The two other notices issued during the period serve different purposes. Yellow Notices help locate missing persons or identify people unable to identify themselves, while Blue Notices are used to collect additional information about a person's identity, location or activities in connection with a criminal investigation. Anwar said the growing international nature of crime makes cross-border cooperation essential, particularly in cases involving fugitives, cybercrime and organised criminal networks. He stressed that Pakistan would continue strengthening cooperation with Interpol and partner countries to prevent fugitives from using foreign jurisdictions as safe havens. 'Today's crimes are increasingly international,' Anwar said, noting that NCBs allow law-enforcement agencies to exchange information and coordinate investigations even when cases extend beyond national borders. Interpol currently has 196 member countries, with an NCB serving as the main national contact point for Interpol activities in each member state.