FIA has launched a comprehensive technology-driven initiative to strengthen its fight against terror financing, cryptocurrency-related crimes, and money laundering. The new strategy integrates artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain analytics, and real-time intelligence sharing to improve investigations and enhance national security.
As part of the initiative, the FIA is establishing a dedicated Virtual Currency Cell to investigate cryptocurrency transactions, blockchain-based financial crimes, and digital assets stored in cold wallets. The specialised unit is designed to improve the agency’s ability to detect and investigate increasingly sophisticated financial offences involving virtual assets.
According to FIA sources, investigators identified 38 terror financing cases and five cases involving the use of cryptocurrency to finance terrorism within the past month. The findings have prompted the agency to expand its use of advanced technologies to monitor financial networks and identify suspicious transactions more effectively.
The FIA is also creating an Integrated Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT) Fusion Centre, which will combine intelligence and financial data from multiple national agencies. The centre will analyse banking records, anti-money laundering systems, and virtual asset information to trace illicit financial networks and strengthen coordination among law enforcement agencies.
To improve risk detection, the agency is developing an AI and machine learning-based risk assessment system. The platform will help evaluate financial institutions, Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), and other entities in line with the standards of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), making compliance monitoring and audits more effective.
The FIA has further announced that 11 police stations under its Counter Terrorism Wing will be activated to investigate terror financing cases. Five of these facilities are already operational, while the remaining centres are expected to become functional in the near future, expanding the agency’s investigative capacity across the country.
In addition, the FIA is modernising Pakistan’s immigration security infrastructure through the upgraded Integrated Border Management System (IBMS-II), linked with IMPASS, Interpol, NADRA, and the Bureau of Emigration databases. The agency is also introducing an AI-powered e-IMMI pre-departure risk profiling system and establishing a Risk Analysis Unit to identify high-risk travel patterns before passengers board international flights.
Another key component of the initiative is the establishment of the National Command and Control Centre (NC3), a 24/7 operational hub that will coordinate intelligence, cyber surveillance, crypto investigations, anti-human trafficking operations, biometric immigration screening, Interpol coordination, and operational support nationwide. The centre will also provide a round-the-clock public helpline and issue daily strategic situation reports to support law enforcement activities across Pakistan.
