LAHORE: The Federal Inv­e­stigation Agency (FIA) has es­­t­ablished Financial Action Task Force (FATF) desks across all its wings and zones by expanding the existing FATF secretariat at the Anti-Money Laun­de­ring Directorate, as part of the preparations for country’s upcoming evaluation by the global anti-money laundering watchdog next year.

The move is intended to improve the effective implementation of international standards with regard to investigations into money laundering, terrorism financing and predicate offences.

“This significant step will also improve the quality of investigations and prosecutions, data maintenance, timely generation of international cooperation requests, prompt inter-agency coordination and effective feedback mechanisms,” a senior FIA official told Dawn on Tuesday.

According to the official, FIA Director General Dr Usman Anwar has instructed all zones and specialised wings to set up FATF desks within seven days to ensure compliance with international standards and avoid any deficiencies in 2027 assessment. He said each desk be headed by an officer of at least assistant director rank.

Move aimed at improving standards of investigations into money laundering, terrorism financing and predicate offences, ahead of 2027 assessment

Pakistan was put on the enhanced monitoring list (grey list) in August 2018 by FATF. After demonstrating significant improvement against a 27-point action plan regarding technical compliance and effectiveness, it was removed from the grey list in October 2022. The country’s exit from the grey list helped improve its standing with international financial watchdogs and investor confidence. It also supported broader economic engagements, including negotiations with IMF.

In 2021, the official said, the FATF secretariat was established at the AML directorate of FIA headquarters to implement the standards effectively and to remove any shortcomings highlighted in the 27-point action plan. “With the passage of time and owing to an increase in volume and emerging trends in investigations of predicate offences, anti-money laundering and countering financing of terrorism (CFT), it was inevitable to expand the existing framework,” he said.

Seven units

The newly established desks include seven units — the Fi­­n­ancial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Investigation Monitoring Unit (IMU), the International Cooperation Unit (ICU), the In­­ter-Agency Coordination Unit (IACU), the Risk Assessment Unit (RAU), the Seizure and Confiscation Unit (SCU) and the Forensics and Virtual Assets Unit (FVAU).

Each zonal desk will be rep­orting to a desk at the relevant wing of the FIA headquarters.

The FIA’s Financial Intelligence Unit receives financial intelligence from the FMU, forwards it for investigation, and provides feedback. Its International Cooperation Unit handles cross-border assistance in money laundering, terrorism financing, and related offences, including evidence gathering, asset recovery, and arrest of fugitives. The IMU oversees the quality and effectiveness of investigations, while the IACU supports investigators by obtaining information from agencies such as Nadra, Immigration and Passports, PTA, FBR, and provincial authorities. The RAU conducts sectoral and geographic risk assessments that contribute to national risk assessment. The SCU manages asset seizure and confiscation and maintains related records. The FVAU supports investigations involving digital evidence, cyber-enabled crimes, and virtual assets used to move or conceal illicit proceeds.

“Each zone will also maintain an official digital wallet for the safe custody of seizure and confiscation of virtual assets,” the official said.

He said efforts to ensure compliance with FATF standards continued even after Pakistan’s removal from the grey list. He added that the authorities had sustained measures against cross-border cash smuggling, im­­proved customer due dilige­n­­ce processes for financial transactions, and tightened oversig­ht of Designated Non-Financial Bu­­sinesses and Professions (DNFBPs) such as real estate agents, dealers in precious metals and stones, accountants and lawyers.

During the period of grey-listing, Pakistan showed significant progress in the counter-terror financing regime by taking action against proscribed groups and individuals, their associated networks, seizing properties, freezing bank accounts, and prosecuting those involved in terror-financing activities.

“The National Counter-Terrorism Authority (Nacta), CTDs, FIA, provincial home departm­e­nts, district intelligence committees, police, in­­t­elligence agencies and other authorities played a pivotal role through synergised efforts in removing major shortcomings and developing a sustainable and effective countering and monitoring regime for the financing of terrorism,” another official said. He added the expansion of FATF desks and specialised units reflected FIA’s continued efforts to maintain compliance ahead of the next mutual evaluation.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2026