GUJRAT, May 25: Hundi, the illegal mode of transfer of money, continues in Gujrat like other parts of the country.

There is a mushroom growth of unauthorized money changers and currency dealers who are also reportedly involved in money laundering in Gujrat, Kharian, Sarai Alamgir, Dinga and Lalamusa.

A survey conducted by this correspondent reveals that more than 100 currency dealers are running their business in various parts of the district without obtaining a licence from the State Bank.

A currency dealer on the condition of anonymity says two big firms of repute in Gujrat and Kharian allegedly are parts of the hundi system. They have more than 1,000 regular clients in foreign countries.

He says since the US bombings in September last, the owner of one of the firms had pulled down half of his shop’s shutter to conceal his sign board. The FIA, Lahore circle, have conducted several raids on these money changers during May, 2001, but the arrested dealers were released soon, he concludes.

A banker opines that the government should introduce anti-money laundering laws and establish a task force having offices in every district to curb the hundi mafia.

THREATENS: Lawyers of Kharian Bar Association threatened to observe a strike against the ill attitude of a magistrate who misbehaved with two clients of a senior lawyer, Dawn learnt here on Saturday.