Police officers nominated for China anti-money laundering training, FIA left out

Thirteen Punjab police officers have been nominated for a training programme on combating money laundering in China,

Thirteen Punjab police officers have been nominated for a training programme on combating money laundering in China, while no officer from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) appears on the nomination list, raising questions about the selection of officials for training in a field where the agency plays a key role.

According to an official memorandum dated October 14, 2026, the Punjab police have recommended 13 officers as principal candidates and one as a reserve candidate for the seminar. The training will take place at the Jiangsu Police Institute in Nanjing, China, from October 28 to November 10.

The principal candidates include DIGs Hussain Habib Imtiaz and Tayyab Hafeez Cheema; SSPs Syed Abdul Rahim Sherazi, Usman Ijaz Bajwa, Muhammad Naveed, Asif Amin Awan, Fraz Ahmed and Nowsherwan Ali; and SPs Shahmeer Khalid, Saad Arshad, Dr Khadija Umer and Muhammad Haseeb Raja. ASP Bushra Aziz is also among the nominees. SP Adeel Shakoor has been named as the reserve candidate.

The officers are serving in different units and districts, including the Punjab Constabulary, Special Protection Unit, Lahore traffic police, Counter Crime Department, Counter Terrorism Department, Special Branch and district police.
However, the nomination memorandum does not list any FIA officer. The absence is notable because the FIA is one of Pakistan’s key agencies responsible for investigating financial crimes, including money laundering.

Money laundering is the process of hiding the criminal source of money or assets to make them appear legally earned. It allows criminals to benefit from illegal activities and can damage the integrity of the financial system. Pakistan’s anti-money laundering framework aims to prevent criminals from hiding or moving illegally obtained money through financial channels.

The FIA’s role in investigating financial crimes makes it an important stakeholder in the country’s efforts to combat money laundering. Its experience in tracing financial transactions and investigating criminal networks could be relevant to training programmes designed to improve the handling of such cases.

The absence of FIA officers from this particular nomination list therefore raises a question: were officials from other relevant agencies considered for the training, and what criteria were used to select the participants?

The memorandum does not explain why the Punjab police officers were nominated or whether federal agencies were considered separately. There is also no confirmation that FIA officers have been excluded from all training programmes on the subject.
Pakistan has also established the National Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML-CFT) Authority. It serves as a central body for coordinating efforts to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and violations of targeted financial sanctions. The authority works with relevant government agencies to help implement laws and regulations in line with national and international standards.

The authority is headed by Mushtaq Ahmed Sukhera, a former senior police officer. The authority’s leadership by a former police chief might be a reason for the presence of police experience at the top of the country’s anti-money laundering coordination structure. The selection has drawn attention to the need for coordination among agencies involved in tackling financial crime. Police officers may encounter money laundering while investigating other offences, while specialised agencies bring their own experience in tracing illegal funds and examining complex financial transactions.

The authorities concerned could clarify whether the selection criteria were based on specific operational needs and whether officers from the FIA or other federal bodies are being considered for similar programmes.