Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has launched a wide-ranging technology-driven initiative to combat terrorist financing, cryptocurrency-related crimes, and money laundering by introducing specialized digital investigation and intelligence systems.
According to FIA sources, the agency identified 38 cases linked to terrorist financing and five cases involving the use of cryptocurrency for terrorist financing during the past month.
The new strategy integrates artificial intelligence, blockchain investigations, and real-time intelligence sharing to strengthen the detection and investigation of digital financial crimes.
As part of the initiative, the FIA is establishing a Virtual Currency Cell to investigate cryptocurrency transactions, blockchain-based financial crimes, and digital assets stored in cold wallets.
A new Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT) Fusion Center will combine data from NACTA, NIFTAC, provincial Counter Terrorism Departments, banking records, the GoAML platform, and the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) to trace suspicious financial networks.
The agency is also developing an AI and machine learning-based risk scoring system to improve audits of financial institutions, Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), and non-governmental organizations in line with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards.
The FIA has announced the activation of 11 Counter Terrorism Wing police stations dedicated to investigating terrorist financing cases, with five already operational and the remaining expected to become functional soon.
In the immigration sector, the FIA has upgraded its border management system to IBMS-II, integrating it with IMPASS, Interpol, NADRA, and the Bureau of Immigration databases to enhance passenger screening at airports.
The agency has also established a Risk Analysis Unit to identify suspicious travel patterns and is introducing an AI-powered e-IMMI pre-departure immigration risk profiling system for passengers on international flights.
Another major component of the initiative is the creation of the National Command and Control Center (NC3), a 24-hour operational hub featuring 18 specialized desks responsible for immigration monitoring, anti-human trafficking operations, money laundering investigations, crypto investigations, cyber patrols, dark web investigations, biometric screening, Interpol coordination, and intelligence integration.
According to FIA sources, the NC3 will also operate a 24-hour public helpline and produce daily strategic situation reports to support nationwide law enforcement operations.
