The federal government has initiated a comprehensive strategy to harden the state against internal security threats and economic instability. In a high-level meeting of the Federal Steering and Review Committee on Counter Terrorism, chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control, authorities issued directive orders for a sweeping crackdown. This operation targets Hawala and Hundi networks, smuggling, black money, terror financing, and the growing crime-terror nexus.
Targeting the Shadow Economy: Hawala, Hundi, and Money Laundering
A primary objective of this directive is to dismantle the financial lifelines of militant groups. The committee has identified the shadow economy as a critical vulnerability. To combat this, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the AML/CFT Authority have been instructed to execute rigorous enforcement actions against Hawala and Hundi operators. These informal money transfer systems are frequently used for money laundering and providing logistical support to extremist factions.
By disrupting these illicit financial flows, the government aims to curb terror financing effectively. The directive emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy toward any financial institution or informal network facilitating the transfer of black money.
صرف ایک کلک، اور ہر اہم خبر سب سے پہلے آپ کے موبائل پر
ابھی جوائن کریںDigitization of Fuel Retail and Curbing Smuggling
One of the most significant economic reforms approved is the mandatory digitization of petrol pumps nationwide. This measure is designed to combat the rampant sale of smuggled fuel, which causes massive revenue losses to the national exchequer.
Provincial governments have been granted authority under the Petroleum Amendments Act 2025 to shut down illegal outlets and non-digitized pumps immediately. The focus is on creating a transparent supply chain to eliminate the smuggling of petroleum products, particularly in border regions like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Provinces are required to submit regular enforcement reports to ensure compliance.
Strengthening Internal Security and Counter-Terrorism
Recognizing the rising security risks, the committee ordered an acceleration in the capacity-building of Counter Terrorism Departments (CTDs). This includes expanded deployment in violence-prone zones within KP and Balochistan.
Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) have been directed to intensify Intelligence-Based Operations (IBOs) against militant groups and their facilitators. A key component of this strategy involves engaging religious leaders and local communities to construct a counter-narrative, effectively cutting off social support for militants.
Furthermore, security protocols for Chinese-led projects, specifically those under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), are being tightened. This move aims to reassure foreign investors following recent attacks on project sites and personnel.
صرف ایک کلک، اور ہر اہم خبر سب سے پہلے آپ کے موبائل پر
ابھی جوائن کریںIllegal Spectrum, Surveillance, and Infrastructure
The crackdown extends beyond physical borders to the digital and infrastructural realms. Authorities are targeting illegal spectrum use, which criminal syndicates often exploit for unmonitored communication.
To enhance urban security, the government has decided to accelerate Safe City surveillance projects, with a priority focus on Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Gwadar. Simultaneously, anti-encroachment drives will be intensified across Sindh, Islamabad, and other provinces to recover state land and eliminate unregulated settlements often used as hideouts.
The National Highway Authority (NHA) has also been tasked with completing infrastructure projects on schedule and submitting monthly progress reports, linking governance efficiency with national security.
Immigration Enforcement and Afghan Repatriation
A critical pillar of the national security policy involves the regulation of foreign nationals. The committee has ordered a remapping of undocumented foreigners and the immediate cancellation of fake national identity cards issued to Afghan nationals. NADRA has been directed to share vital data with law enforcement to facilitate this process.
The government maintains a strict stance on the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Programme. Orders have been issued for the immediate evacuation of Afghan camps in KP, and operations by NGOs facilitating such settlements will be halted. While roughly two million Afghan nationals have been repatriated, authorities estimate over two million remain, necessitating a continued, rigorous approach to prevent the re-entry of deported individuals.
