QUETTA: The FIA Balochistan Zone conducted a raid in Mariabad, Quetta, and arrested a suspect involved in illegal currency exchange.
According to the FIA spokesperson, the arrested individual has been identified as Muhammad Yaseen.
A significant amount of foreign currency was recovered from his possession. The seized amount includes 1,020 US dollars, 2,000 Saudi riyals, 985 UAE dirhams, and 17,000 Afghan afghanis.
The suspect was operating without a valid license and failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the recovered currency.
He has been taken into custody, and further investigation is underway.
Illegal currency trading has become a significant concern in Balochistan, particularly in border regions and major cities like Quetta.
Due to its proximity to Afghanistan and Iran, Balochistan is often used as a transit hub for unauthorized currency exchange and smuggling.
Informal money changers operate without licenses and are involved in hawala and hundi systems, which bypass legal financial channels and can be used for money laundering or funding illicit activities.
The unchecked flow of foreign currencies—especially US dollars, Saudi riyals, UAE dirhams, and Afghan afghanis—has destabilized local markets and weakened government control over economic transactions.
These practices also affect Pakistan’s official foreign exchange reserves by diverting remittances and foreign earnings away from the banking system.
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The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has recently intensified crackdowns in Balochistan to curb illegal money exchanges, but the scale of the problem requires continuous surveillance, legal enforcement, and public awareness to promote legitimate financial practices in the region.
