Islamabad, June 28, 2025 – In a significant development under the Finance Act, 2025, the federal government has announced the establishment of a new directorate under the Customs Act, 1969, aimed at strengthening anti-money laundering enforcement across Pakistan.
The newly formed Directorate General of Intelligence and Risk Management, Customs has officially been granted authority to act under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010, as well as all related rules and regulations.
This new customs directorate is designed to consolidate and enhance intelligence-driven enforcement efforts, especially in the fight against illicit financial flows and trade-based money laundering. With sweeping powers now conferred to it, the directorate will play a pivotal role in detecting and intercepting suspicious transactions and smuggling activities that often serve as conduits for money laundering.
The Directorate General will be headed by a Director General and will comprise Directors, Additional Directors, Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors, and other designated Customs officers as notified by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) through the official Gazette. The new structure replaces the now-defunct Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation, Customs, inheriting its responsibilities, along with expanded legal authority under anti-money laundering laws.
Officials believe this move reflects a broader shift toward modernizing Pakistan’s enforcement architecture by integrating risk-based intelligence and regulatory oversight within the customs framework. This will help improve compliance with global standards set by bodies such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and support Pakistan’s ongoing commitments to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
The enhanced mandate of this customs directorate is expected to significantly increase scrutiny on cross-border transactions and goods declarations, ensuring that customs enforcement is both preventive and punitive where needed. Analysts also see this as a strategic step to boost the credibility of Pakistan’s financial and trade monitoring systems in the eyes of international observers and foreign investors.
In the coming weeks, the FBR is likely to issue further notifications detailing the operational scope and jurisdiction of this powerful new directorate, solidifying its place as a central pillar in the country’s fight against economic crime.