QUETTA: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Balochistan has arrested 3,567 people involved in illegal border crossings as part of its ongoing efforts to combat cross-border criminal activities.
The agency also confiscated foreign currency from suspects linked to illegal money exchange operations, including hawala and hundi networks.
The announcement came after a visit by FIA Director General Rafat Mukhtar to the FIA zonal office in Balochistan. During his visit, Director Balochistan Zone Bahram Khan gave a briefing on the current operations and the overall performance of the region’s law enforcement efforts.
According to the briefing, the FIA has registered 89 cases this year related to hawala and illegal currency exchange, leading to the arrest of 112 suspects. In these operations, the agency seized over $45,000, foreign currency worth more than 190 million rupees, and 46.7 million rupees in cash from the arrested individuals.
The FIA also reported a crackdown on electricity theft, conducting 4,771 raids, which resulted in the recovery of over 56 million rupees. Additionally, the agency registered 409 cases of human trafficking and arrested over 3,500 individuals involved in smuggling people across borders. As part of its ongoing efforts, 39 human traffickers were also apprehended this year.
Rafat Mukhtar commended the FIA Balochistan team for their diligent work in combating organized crime and announced certificates of appreciation for officers who demonstrated exceptional performance. He stressed the importance of continuing the fight against human trafficking and the hawala networks, as well as ensuring accountability for those involved in electricity theft and other activities harming the national economy.
