The Federal Investigation Agency has decided to launch a nationwide crackdown against money laundering, introducing stricter enforcement measures and new standard operating procedures to strengthen action against financial crimes.
According to reports, the FIA Director General approved the move and issued directives to intensify investigations into money laundering cases. As part of the new framework, the agency has established a dedicated Financial Intelligence Unit at FIA headquarters.
Officials said the FIA has introduced a modern system to investigate suspicious financial transactions without delay. Under the new process, the agency will act directly on reports received from the Financial Monitoring Unit to improve efficiency and response time.
The FIA has also set clear deadlines for disposing of money laundering cases. In addition, the agency will establish Financial Intelligence Desks across all FIA zones. Assistant directors will supervise these desks to improve coordination and speed response times.
Read: FIA Uncovers Illegal Immigration Scam Involving Senior FBR Officer
The new measures aim to improve Pakistan’s ability to detect, investigate and prosecute financial crimes through a more structured enforcement system.
Separately, the FIA warned citizens about rising fraud and cybercrime activities, especially on social media platforms such as WhatsApp. The agency advised the public to stay alert, avoid fake messages and never share personal information with unknown contacts.
An FIA spokesperson said criminal groups have been sending fake FIRs through WhatsApp to harass people and create panic. These fraudulent messages falsely implicate innocent citizens in criminal cases.
The spokesperson clarified that the FIA does not send FIRs or legal notices through WhatsApp. Citizens who receive suspicious messages should report them to the National Cyber Crime Wing for prompt action.