The Federal Investigation Agency has recovered Rs. 2 billion from illegal hawala and hundi networks linked to Europe and Gulf countries in a major crackdown on financial crime.
According to the FIA Peshawar Zone director, the operation also uncovered illegal hoarding of Iranian currency worth around Rs. 210 million, which has been taken into custody. Authorities said the seizures included US dollars, Saudi riyals, UAE dirhams, and other foreign currencies.
The crackdown targeted multiple illegal activities, including hawala operations and organ trafficking networks. Officials confirmed that the action was part of a broader effort to dismantle organized financial crime networks operating across borders.
Over the past 15 months, the FIA conducted 549 raids and arrested 1,337 suspects in connection with these activities. Investigators also dismantled a group involved in illegal kidney transplants, arresting four individuals, including a doctor.
Authorities revealed that the group exploited vulnerable individuals, including brick kiln workers and low-income laborers from Punjab, coercing them into selling kidneys for as little as Rs. 100,000.
The FIA said operations will continue to target financial crime and human exploitation networks, with a focus on strengthening enforcement and preventing cross-border illegal transactions.