FIA deports Afghan nationals after convictions in financial crimes

QUETTA: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Balochistan Zone has deported several Afghan nationals after securing convictions in cases related to illegal hawala/hundi and unlawful currency exchange operations, officials said on Saturday.

According to FIA officials, the accused had been booked under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA). The cases were pursued in court following arrests made during an ongoing crackdown on hawala-hundi and illegal currency exchange activities in the province.

The officials said the court of the District and Sessions Judge in Chaman handed down prison terms to the convicted individuals in separate cases. In one of the cases, the court also ordered the confiscation of Rs1.8 million in favour of the national exchequer.

Convictions secured in Chaman court

The FIA Balochistan Zone said the prosecution presented the cases effectively before the court, leading to the convictions. Officials credited Investigating Inspector Mohammad Idrees Khan and Assistant Director Nadeem Ghaffar with pursuing the cases professionally.

The agency said the action formed part of its continuing campaign against financial crimes, particularly illegal hawala/hundi networks and unauthorised currency exchange operations.

Officials did not specify the exact number of Afghan nationals deported, but said several had been sent back to Afghanistan after the convictions were secured.

FIA says crackdown will continue

Director FIA Balochistan Zone Mohammad Behram Khan said the agency would continue taking action against financial offences without discrimination in an effort to protect the national economy.

He said those involved in illegal businesses, including hawala-hundi, would face strict action under the law.

The latest development comes as the FIA continues its enforcement efforts in Balochistan against unlawful financial activity. Officials said the convictions reflected the agency’s push to pursue such cases through investigation and prosecution rather than limiting action to arrests alone.

The FIA statement, as cited by officials, linked the deportations directly to the successful prosecution of the cases. The agency maintained that action against illegal financial operators would remain ongoing in line with its broader campaign against hawala-hundi and unauthorised exchange businesses.