Pakistan has created a dedicated cryptocurrency investigation unit within the Federal Investigation Agency’s National Command and Control Center, according to local media cited by BlockBeats on July 22. The new team will focus on crimes involving digital assets, with authorities specifically naming money laundering and terror financing as priority areas. Muhammad Athar Waheed, head of the FIA’s anti-terrorism department, said the unit will work alongside the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, or PVARA, in enforcement actions. He also called for the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency and the Anti-Narcotics Force to form their own specialist teams to address cybercrime and drug trafficking linked to crypto. The move comes as Pakistan continues to formalize its digital asset framework. In March, parliament passed the Virtual Assets Act, establishing PVARA as a permanent federal regulator for licensing exchanges, custodians, and token issuers. PVARA has already issued operating licenses to several major platforms, including Binance and HTX. PVARA Chairman Bilal bin Saqib has also said Pakistan plans to launch a sovereign stablecoin, build a national Bitcoin reserve, and allocate 2,000 megawatts of power for Bitcoin mining and AI data centers.
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has set up a cryptocurrency investigation unit under the National Command and Control Center to tackle crimes involving digital assets, according to local media cited by BlockBeats on July 22.
Unit to focus on money laundering and terror financing
Muhammad Athar Waheed, head of the FIA’s anti-terrorism department, said the new unit will prioritize investigations into the use of cryptocurrency for money laundering, terror financing, and related offenses. He said the team will coordinate enforcement work with the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA).
Waheed also said the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and the Anti-Narcotics Force should set up dedicated teams of their own to strengthen enforcement against crypto-linked cybercrime and drug trafficking.
Pakistan continues to build its digital asset framework
Pakistan has kept moving ahead with its digital asset regulatory structure in recent years. In March this year, the country’s parliament passed the Virtual Assets Act, formally establishing PVARA as a permanent federal regulator. The agency is responsible for issuing licenses to trading platforms, custodians, and token issuers.
PVARA has already granted operating licenses to several large crypto platforms, including Binance and HTX.
Earlier plans announced by PVARA
PVARA Chairman Bilal bin Saqib previously said Pakistan plans to launch a national sovereign stablecoin. He also said the country had announced a national Bitcoin reserve and allocated 2,000 megawatts of electricity for Bitcoin mining and AI data center development.
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