Pakistan Establishes Specialized Unit to Combat Crypto-Linked Crime

The new unit provides a clear division of labor within the country’s evolving regulatory framework. While the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority manages licensing, compliance, and supervision for exchanges and custodians, the agency’s investigators will focus exclusively on illicit activities. Muhammad Athar Waheed, director of the FIA’s Counter-Terrorism Wing, noted that this separation allows for specialized responses to criminal probes, while simultaneously urging the Anti-Narcotics Force and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency to develop similar internal capabilities.

This move integrates crypto-crime enforcement into the broader NC3 platform, which already coordinates border monitoring and intelligence efforts. Beyond investigating specific incidents, the FIA is implementing stricter internal deadlines for inquiries to accelerate case resolution. These enforcement measures complement recent legislative progress, including the Virtual Assets Act 2026 and the State Bank of Pakistan’s decision to allow regulated banks to support licensed digital asset firms. As the government continues to explore state-level blockchain initiatives—ranging from cross-border stablecoin payments to potential Bitcoin reserves—the new unit serves as a critical safeguard against the exploitation of these financial technologies.