• Will prevent use of virtual currency for money laundering, terror financing
• Director calls for squads to curb crypto use in cybercrime, drug trade
• Over 300 human trafficking cases registered in two years

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has established a cryptocurrency investigation unit housed in its newly operational National Com­m­and and Control Centre (NC3) to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing through virtual currency transactions.

FIA Counter-Terrorism Wing Director Dr Muhammad Athar Waheed told Dawn that while the newly established Pakistan Virt­ual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) was the dedicated authority responsible for regulating digital assets, the cryptocurrency investigation unit would probe the possible use of digital assets in crimes.

The official suggested that the National Cyber Crime Investi­gation Agency (NCCIA) and Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) should also establish similar units to tackle the use of cryptocurrency for cybercrimes and drug-related business. He said new rules were being framed to ensure time-bound completion of all inquiries.

“With the introduction of several reform initiatives, the FIA has already demonstrated significant improvement in its performance, and we expect a number of additional key projects to be completed over the next six months,” he said.

According to Dr Waheed, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi played a pivotal role in strengthening the FIA by providing the support needed to modernise the agency.

Single platform for coordination

Speaking about NC3, he said the centre provided a unified platform for monitoring, intelligence fusion, inter-agency coordination and nationwide operational support and brought key operational units on a single command platform.

Its Immigration Monitoring Unit and Integrated Border Management System (IBMS) provide real-time oversight of traveller movements, biometric verification and screening at all ports of entry and exit.

The Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Desk coordinates intelligence-led operations against organised smuggling networks, while the Risk Analysis Unit identifies high-risk individuals, suspicious travel patterns and emerging threats.

To strengthen investigations into financial crimes, NC3 houses dedicated anti-money laundering (AML) and virtual currency inves­tigation units. The Interpol Desk serves as Pakistan’s national coordination point for international law enforcement cooperation.

Similarly, officials said the case management system (CMS) enables real-time monitoring of investigations and performance across the FIA formations nationwide.

The centre also enhances public service delivery through a 24/7 helpline, a complaint management unit and overseas complaints cell, ensuring timely assistance to citizens and overseas Pakistanis.

“Its intelligence capabilities are further reinforced by open source intelligence (OSINT), cellular detection, cyber patrolling and dark web investigation units, which support intelligence gathering, lawful technical analysis and the detection of cyber-enabled and transnational crimes,” an official said.

A centralised daily situation report (DSR) and an operational support desk provide senior leadership with real-time situational awareness and nationwide operational coordination.

Meanwhile, to protect FIA investigators, special weapons and tactics (SWAT) teams have also been formed as raiding parties, while a large number of vehicles have been added to the FIA fleet.

Officials said international collaboration was also being improved and a new post of the International Coordination director had been created. “Many new things are in the pipeline. Recruitment of around 1,300 officials is in progress while more recruitment will be made in the future,” an official said. For the welfare of FIA employees, rules of the Punjab police have also been adopted.

Another official said that during the past two years, over 300 FIRs were registered against human trafficking, with 258 agents arrested and significant recoveries made. “We have busted many gangs involved in human trafficking; as a result, the incidents of boat tragedies are witnessing a decline,” the official claimed.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2026