FIA Launches Dedicated Unit to Investigate Cryptocurrency Crimes
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has established a dedicated Cryptocurrency Investigation Unit within its newly launched National Command and Control Centre (NC3) to tackle crimes involving digital assets, including money laundering and terrorism financing. The move supports the country’s broader effort to regulate and expand its cryptocurrency sector.
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According to Dawn, FIA Counter-Terrorism Wing Director Dr. Muhammad Athar Waheed said the new unit will focus on investigating crypto-related crimes, while the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) will continue overseeing the regulation of digital assets. The NC3 also integrates anti-money laundering, cybercrime, dark web monitoring, and Interpol coordination under one platform.
Pakistan has recently accelerated its adoption of digital assets by lifting its long-standing crypto banking ban, establishing PVARA, and moving toward licensing crypto exchanges. However, the sector continues to face religious debate after a leading Islamic seminary ruled that cryptocurrencies do not qualify as valid wealth under Islamic law, raising questions about their permissibility.
