ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has intensified its crackdown on online gambling and the misuse of digital payment channels, ARY News reported on Thursday, citing sources.
Sources said mobile wallet operators had closed more than 100 aggregator accounts following notices from the FIA. Several other accounts were also suspended after internal reviews.
A significant volume of transactions had reportedly been processed through the suspended accounts.
The action could affect the mobile wallet’s revenue, while payments through its aggregator and merchant channels have also reportedly faced delays.
According to sources, payments and settlements involving six major payment companies linked to the mobile wallet have been affected.
International payment processors are also investigating delays involving transactions processed through the mobile wallet, sources added.
Aggregator Accounts Linked to Gambling Payments
Investigators have reportedly found that some aggregator accounts were being used to process payments for online gambling platforms and adult websites, according to sources.
The FIA has reportedly traced transactions worth more than Rs119.93 billion linked to gambling applications.
In another development, investigators reportedly identified more than 10 million transactions worth Rs8.58 billion through five collection accounts.
The investigation is part of a broader review of digital payment channels and their potential misuse for illegal online activities.
Regulatory Scrutiny Intensifies
Sources said monitoring and scrutiny of aggregator accounts was continuing under the State Bank of Pakistan’s May 2026 framework.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has reportedly blocked 46 illegal gambling and unregistered trading applications as part of the ongoing regulatory action.
Authorities are continuing to examine digital payment channels to identify and prevent transactions linked to prohibited online activities.
