The government has directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to step up operations against illegal foreign-currency dealers and hawala-hundi networks in an effort to curb unlawful foreign exchange trading, the Interior Ministry informed parliament.
In a written reply to a question by Shazia Marri, the ministry said that although smuggling falls primarily under the jurisdiction of Pakistan Customs, FIA personnel stationed at immigration check-posts have also been instructed to remain alert and help prevent such activities.
Providing enforcement details since January 2025, the ministry stated that 551 raids were conducted, 576 cases were registered, 703 suspects were arrested, and 324 cases led to convictions.
In response to another question by Sher Afzal Khan regarding alleged encroachments on green belts by hotels along Islamabad Club Road, the ministry said 10 hotels and motels were found to have developed illegal parking areas within the road’s right-of-way. These encroachments were removed on August 6, 2024, with the assistance of the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) Enforcement Directorate. Challans have also been submitted before the senior special magistrate, CDA, for further legal proceedings under relevant laws.
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In a separate written reply to Syeda Amnah Batool, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif informed the National Assembly that Pakistan launched its first hyperspectral satellite, HS-I, on October 19, 2025. He said the satellite is currently undergoing in-orbit testing, and image data is expected to be made available to user organisations by the end of January 2026.
The minister added that a national utilisation framework for civilian applications in agriculture, environmental monitoring, and disaster management is being rolled out in phases. The satellite is expected to assist in crop assessment, land and forest monitoring, disaster response planning, environmental protection, mineral exploration, and evidence-based policymaking.
Suparco is collaborating with federal and provincial departments, universities, and research institutions through project-based services, training programmes, and memorandums of understanding to integrate hyperspectral technology across multiple sectors.
