Pakistan on FATF radar over terror financing
Pakistan, US, India, Militants attack
The Pakistan government had submitted a compliance report to Asia-Pacific Group
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) begins its six-day meeting in Paris today amid indications that it would put Pakistan on the "grey list" for its failure to clamp down on money laundering and terror financing.
Earlier this month, Pakistan interim prime minister Nasir-ul-Mulk had reviewed measures taken by the government to meet the requirement of the global watchdog.
Pakistan foreign ministry had said in February that it would be placed on the "grey list" from June once an action plan was "mutually negotiated". However, the foreign ministry had denied it would be placed on the "blacklist".
The FATF was set up in 1989 to combat money laundering, from 2001 the watchdog's mandate was extended to check terror financing. FATF's decision to place Pakistan on its list is sure to become an election issue with the country headed for polls next month.
In a bid to thwart FATF's intention, the Pakistan government had submitted a compliance report to Asia-Pacific Group (APG) which is a subgroup of the Paris-based organisation.
In February, the United States had moved a motion to put Pakistan on the dreaded list after President Trump repeatedly warned Pakistan over harbouring alleged terror cells on its soil. The US president had said Pakistan was a "safe haven" for terrorists drawing a severe blowback from the Pakistan government.
Pakistan was put on the grey list in 2012 but taken off three years later.