FIA recovers over Rs3.86 billion in nationwide currency raids

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has uncovered and seized over Rs3.86 billion in domestic and foreign currency during nationwide raids this year.

The announcement came during a high-level meeting chaired by Director General FIA Mohsin Hasan Butt in Islamabad.

During the meeting, attended by Additional Director Generals, Zonal Directors, and other senior officers, it was disclosed that more than 28 plazas, markets, and shops were sealed as part of these operations.

The FIA disclosed that a total of 390 raids were conducted against individuals engaged in illegal money exchange activities. This led to the registration of 382 cases, the arrest of 557 suspects, and the completion of investigations into 51 inquiries.

Zone-wise, the FIA reported that 250 suspects were apprehended in the KP zone: 68 in Lahore, 24 in Gujranwala, 48 in Faisalabad, and 43 in Multan.

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Additionally, Islamabad zone arrested 20 suspects, Karachi zone 64, Hyderabad zone 23, and Balochistan zone detained 17 individuals.

According to ARY News, all those arrested were involved in currency exchange without proper licences, and their apprehension was facilitated with the assistance of law enforcement agencies.

During the meeting, Director General FIA emphasised the need to intensify operations against individuals implicated in the Hundi reference.

He stressed that, based on concrete evidence, stringent punishments should be meted out to those involved in the smuggling of foreign currency, underscoring the FIA’s commitment to curbing illegal financial activities in the country.