The federal government of Pakistan has initiated a comprehensive crackdown on illegal activities including hawala, smuggling, and terror financing, as reported by ProPakistani on February 9, 2026. This decision was made during a meeting of the Federal Steering and Review Committee on Counter Terrorism, chaired by the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control. The committee emphasized the need to 'harden the state' due to escalating security and economic threats. It was noted that provinces were instructed to enhance the capacity of Counter Terrorism Departments (CTDs), particularly in violence-prone regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where militant activities have surged. The report highlighted the directive for intensified intelligence-based operations targeting militant groups and their networks, underscoring a strategic move to bolster national security.