FIA arrests three members of hawalahundi gang

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Pakistan has taken into custody three suspected members of an organized hawala-hundi gang from the city of Dera Ghazi Khan. Hawala-hundi is an informal value transfer system, primarily used for money laundering and other illicit financial activities.

The FIA spokesperson confirmed the arrests and stated that the detained individuals were identified as Ali Haider, Muhammad Khan, and Abdul Aziz. During the raid, a substantial amount of Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 59 lac (approximately USD 338,000) was seized from their possession, along with debt cards, cheque books, and mobile phones.

This is not the first time such an incident has occurred in this region. Earlier this year, in February 2023, the FIA had dismantled a major hawala-hundi network operating in Quetta, Balochistan, and seized over PKR 1 billion (approximately USD 5.8 million) in cash and assets.

Hawala-hundi networks have been a significant concern for law enforcement agencies in Pakistan due to their involvement in money laundering, tax evasion, and financing terrorism. These networks operate through a complex web of intermediaries and agents, making it challenging for authorities to trace and seize illicit funds.

The FIA, along with other law enforcement agencies, continues to conduct operations against such criminal networks to curb their activities and bring the perpetrators to justice. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious transactions or activities related to hawala-hundi to the FIA or other relevant authorities to help combat this issue effectively.

It is important to note that while this information is based on the official statement from the FIA, further investigation is required to fully understand the extent and nature of this particular hawala-hundi network and its connections to other criminal activities.