The government has instructed the Federal Investigation Agency to intensify action against illegal foreign-currency operators and hawala-hundi dealers to curb unlawful foreign-exchange trading, the Interior Ministry told parliament.
In a written reply to a question from Shazia Marri on measures taken to stop illegal currency trading and smuggling, the ministry said that while smuggling primarily falls under the mandate of Pakistan Customs, FIA staff posted at immigration check-posts have been directed to remain vigilant to counter such activities.
Since January 2025, the ministry has provided enforcement details, stating that 551 raids were carried out, 576 cases were registered, 703 suspects were arrested, and 324 cases resulted in convictions.
In a separate written reply to Sher Afzal Khan regarding alleged encroachments on green areas by hotels along Islamabad Club Road, the ministry said that a total of 10 hotels and motels operate along Islamabad Club Road and Murree Road. These establishments had developed illegal parking areas on the green belt within the road’s right-of-way.
The ministry said the illegal parking areas and encroachments were demolished with the help of the Capital Development Authority’s Enforcement Directorate on August 6, 2024. Challans for illegal construction and encroachments have also been filed before the senior special magistrate, CDA, for legal proceedings under the relevant rules.
Meanwhile, in another written reply to Syeda Amnah Batool, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif informed the National Assembly that Pakistan launched its first hyperspectral satellite, HS-I, on October 19, 2025. He said the satellite is currently in the in-orbit testing phase, and image data is expected to be available to user organisations by the end of January 2026.
A national utilization framework for civilian applications in agriculture, environment, and disaster management is being implemented progressively. The satellite is expected to support crop assessment, land and forest monitoring, disaster preparedness and response, environmental protection, mineral exploration, and evidence-based planning.
Suparco is working with federal and provincial departments, universities, and research centres through project-based services, training programmes, and framework MoUs to integrate hyperspectral technology across sectors.
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