The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Operations Circles have launched a crackdown against the private money exchangers to prevent them from holding the US dollar, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

FIA Operations Wing has been tasked to keep a close eye on the traders and private persons potentially involved in the dollar holding.

Sources said that Afghan nationals abroad bought a large number of US dollars keeping in view the current situation in Afghanistan. 

The FIA sources said that the currency mafia then started holding of the US dollar that actually increased the rate.

The sources further claimed that the FIA has arrested a number of accused during the operation. 

Meanwhile, at the start of the inter-bank trading on Wednesday, the US dollar lost five paisas against the Pakistani rupee and reached Rs170.75 from Rs170.80. But after the brief period, the dollar recovered its loss and again was being traded at Rs170.80.

Reporter Saud Butt