Pakistan Launches Crypto Investigation Unit to Fight Money Laundering
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency has created a dedicated cryptocurrency investigation unit inside the new National Command and Control Centre to probe money laundering, terrorism financing, and other crimes involving virtual currencies. The unit will focus on enforcement, while the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority continues to handle regulation. Officials also want similar crypto-focused teams in cybercrime and anti-narcotics agencies, with new rules aimed at completing investigations within fixed deadlines. The move fits Pakistan’s broader push to formalize digital assets: it has lifted an eight-year banking ban on crypto, launched PVARA, moved toward exchange licensing, and explored tokenizing state assets. Crypto has also become part of its diplomacy, including talks tied to a Trump-family-linked venture. But religious opposition remains a major obstacle, after a Karachi seminary declared cryptocurrency non-compliant with Islamic law.
