The federal government has approved a nationwide crackdown on money laundering and hawala hundi operations across the country.

The decision was taken in a high-level meeting led by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.

Officials agreed that strict action will be taken against business figures and institutions involved in illegally sending money abroad.

The government made it clear that no leniency will be given to anyone involved in these illegal activities.

Authorities also decided that overseas remittances must only be sent through official banking channels and approved systems.

The process of sending money through exchange companies will be improved to remove loopholes and increase transparency.

Ministers said the system will be made “transparent and foolproof” to stop illegal financial flows.

They also stressed that all illegal channels will be discouraged and completely shut down.

Also Read: Supreme Court ends Tipu Truckanwala case, upholds life term

The meeting showed a strong commitment to act against “big money launderers” and end hawala hundi practices in the country.

A joint working group of the State Bank of Pakistan and the Federal Investigation Agency has been formed to monitor progress and take action.

Officials were also briefed about the current system of legal money transfers through banks.

Meanwhile, in a separate operation, the FIA stopped an attempt to smuggle women abroad in Karachi.

Around 33 women from different areas of Punjab were taken into custody during a raid near the Passport Office in Saddar.

Human traffickers and agents were also arrested, and officials recovered 29 passports and other important documents.

Three cases have been registered against the accused as investigations continue.