The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has intensified its crackdown on hawala-hundi operators, arresting a suspect and seizing a significant amount of cash during a raid in Karachi, an FIA spokesperson said on Wednesday.
The FIA’s Corporate Crime Circle Karachi raided an office in Clifton Block 8, where suspect Mohammad Waqas was taken into custody with Rs4 million in cash found in his possession. WhatsApp chats related to hawala-hundi transactions were also retrieved from his phone.
The FIA spokesperson said that a case is being registered against the suspect under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, while further investigation is under way. Separately, a senior FIA official paid a surprise visit to review the performance of the Anti-Money Laundering Circle in Karachi. Additional Director General Mujahid Akbar Khan visited the unit with the FIA Karachi Zone director.
During the visit, ongoing investigations and under-trial cases were reviewed. Khan was briefed by officers on the progress of cases, quality of evidence and legal proceedings. He expressed satisfaction over the general performance of the officials but directed them to further improve the effectiveness, speed and outcomes of operations against financial crimes.
He said the FIA is pursuing a zero-tolerance policy against money laundering, and the agency would continue conducting indiscriminate action against all the elements harming the national economy.
