The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has decided to initiate a countrywide crackdown on money laundering by introducing tougher enforcement measures and updated standard operating procedures (SOPs), according to media reports.
The initiative has been approved by the FIA Director General, who has directed authorities to step up action against financial crimes. As part of the plan, a specialised Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has been set up at the FIA headquarters.
Officials said a modern mechanism has been introduced to ensure swift investigation of suspicious financial transactions. Reports generated by the Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU) will now be acted upon directly to improve efficiency and response time.
The FIA has also fixed timelines for the disposal of money laundering cases. Moreover, Financial Intelligence Desks will be established in all FIA zones, functioning under the supervision of assistant directors.
Earlier, it was reported that Pakistani nationals going abroad for work are now facing new difficulties as the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has implemented a new rule, under which government verification is mandatory before travelling.
According to the unofficially implemented rule, which has not yet been officially announced, everyone going abroad for work will have to submit an affidavit, attested by the signature of a government officer of grade 18 or 19.
The affidavit must state that the traveller will work legally in the destination country and will not attempt to travel illegally to Europe, according to media reports. The rule caused severe chaos at major airports, including Lahore, where hundreds of passengers, despite having valid tickets and complete documents, were prevented from boarding flights.
Officials said the move follows previous cases in which workers set off for countries like Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain or Thailand but later tried to reach Europe via Libya or Baku.
FIA immigration teams offloaded around 150 passengers in just one week.
A Lahore airport official confirmed that 26 people had been caught trying to enter Europe illegally despite having legal visas earlier. According to officials, the rule is aimed at curbing human trafficking and illegal migration, but passengers say the move is unfair and disturbing.
Also read: Unofficial FIA rule bars hundreds of Pakistani workers from travelling abroad
