Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency has set up a dedicated cryptocurrency investigation unit inside its newly operational National Command and Control Centre, known as NC3. The unit aims to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing carried out through virtual currency transactions.
FIA Counter-Terrorism Wing Director Dr Muhammad Athar Waheed told Dawn that the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, the country's dedicated digital asset regulator, remains responsible for licensing and oversight. The new unit's mandate sits apart from that: it will investigate the possible use of digital assets in crimes rather than regulate the market itself.
Waheed suggested that the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency and the Anti-Narcotics Force should form similar units to address cryptocurrency use in cybercrime and drug-related business. He said new rules are under preparation to ensure time-bound completion of inquiries.
"With the introduction of several reform initiatives, the FIA has already demonstrated significant improvement in its performance, and we expect a number of additional key projects to be completed over the next six months," he said.
Dr Waheed credited Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for playing what he called a pivotal role in strengthening the FIA through support aimed at modernizing the agency.
NC3 brings scattered units under one roof
The command centre functions as a single platform for monitoring, intelligence fusion and inter-agency coordination, according to Dr Waheed. Its Immigration Monitoring Unit and Integrated Border Management System handle real-time oversight of traveller movements, biometric verification and screening at ports of entry and exit.
A Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Desk coordinates operations against organized smuggling networks. A separate Risk Analysis Unit identifies high-risk individuals and suspicious travel patterns. To support financial crime investigations specifically, NC3 houses dedicated anti-money laundering and virtual currency units alongside an Interpol Desk that serves as Pakistan's coordination point for international law enforcement.
A case management system allows real-time monitoring of investigations across FIA formations nationwide. The centre also runs a 24/7 helpline, a complaint management unit and an overseas complaints cell for citizens abroad. Additional capabilities include open source intelligence, cellular detection, cyber patrolling and dark web investigation units, which an official said support lawful technical analysis and detection of cyber-enabled and transnational crimes.
To protect investigators during operations, the FIA has formed special weapons and tactics teams to serve as raiding parties, and has expanded its vehicle fleet. A new International Coordination director post has also been created, and recruitment of around 1,300 officials is currently in progress, with further hiring planned.
An FIA official said more than 300 FIRs were registered against human trafficking over the past two years, with 258 agents arrested and what the official described as significant recoveries made.
"We have busted many gangs involved in human trafficking; as a result, the incidents of boat tragedies are witnessing a decline," the official said.
Regulatory buildout precedes the enforcement push
The new crime unit follows a period of rapid regulatory expansion in Pakistan's digital asset space. Parliament passed the Virtual Assets Act in March, making PVARA a permanent federal regulator with authority to license exchanges, custodians and token issuers. PVARA has since approved licenses for several major exchanges, including Binance and HTX.
PVARA Chairman Bilal bin Saqib has said Pakistan plans to launch a sovereign stablecoin. The government previously announced plans for a state-held bitcoin reserve and allocated 2,000 megawatts of electricity toward bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence data centers.
Saqib said in December 2025 that Pakistan ranks as the world's third-largest crypto market by retail activity. Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao, speaking at the same event, said Pakistan's regulatory approach and adoption trends could position the country as a world leader in the industry by 2030.
Enforcement gap prompted the new structure
PVARA was established in July 2025 to handle licensing and regulation, but Pakistan lacked a dedicated body focused specifically on investigating crypto-linked crime until now. The FIA's new unit fills that gap, working alongside PVARA rather than duplicating its function.
Dayo Paul
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