Pakistan's foreign office has said it has "faithfully complied" with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) condictions and is hoping for a "positive direction" as officials meet in Paris next week.

The global financial crime monitoring watchdog has put Pakistan on the grey list with PM Imran's government keen to exit from the list.&nbsp;

"We have faithfully complied with and completed all technical requirements and hope that the outcome would be in the positive direction,” Pakistan's foreign office said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fatf-puts-turkey-on-grey-list-pakistan-to-remain-on-grey-list-422766">Also Read:&nbsp;FATF puts Turkey on 'grey list'</a>

However, in a remark aimed at India, Pakistan's foreign office added that “there are issues of politicisation by some countries, and that remains a problem”.

The FATF had listed actions to be completed with several focussed on money laundering. The Pakistan government says it has completed most of the listed tasks. The FATF had said in October last year that 34-point action plan needed to be completed out&nbsp;of which 30 items have been addressed by the Pakistan government.

The Paris-based watchdog had retained Pakistan on its 'grey list' after the country failed to check money laundering and terror financing activities on its soil. It had also asked the government to take steps against UN-designated terror groups, including Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar.

The country was put on the grey list for the first time in 2018. Pakistan's continued presence in the grey list makes it difficult for the government to get financial aid from international banks including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Last year, FATF had put Turkey on its grey list over its failure to combat money laundering and terror financing.

The other countries in the grey list include Yemen, South Sudan, Syria, Morocco, Albania and Zimbabwe.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies)

Pakistan's foreign office has said it has "faithfully complied" with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) condictions and is hoping for a "positive direction" as officials meet in Paris next week.

Pakistan's foreign office has said it has "faithfully complied" with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) condictions and is hoping for a "positive direction" as officials meet in Paris next week. The global financial crime monitoring watchdog has put Pakistan on the grey list with PM Imran's government keen to exit from the list. "We have faithfully complied with and completed all technical requirements and hope that the outcome would be in the positive direction,” Pakistan's foreign office said. Also Read: FATF puts Turkey on 'grey list' However, in a remark aimed at India, Pakistan's foreign office added that “there are issues of politicisation by some countries, and that remains a problem”. The FATF had listed actions to be completed with several focussed on money laundering. The Pakistan government says it has completed most of the listed tasks. The FATF had said in October last year that 34-point action plan needed to be completed out of which 30 items have been addressed by the Pakistan government. The Paris-based watchdog had retained Pakistan on its 'grey list' after the country failed to check money laundering and terror financing activities on its soil. It had also asked the government to take steps against UN-designated terror groups, including Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar. The country was put on the grey list for the first time in 2018. Pakistan's continued presence in the grey list makes it difficult for the government to get financial aid from international banks including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB). Last year, FATF had put Turkey on its grey list over its failure to combat money laundering and terror financing. The other countries in the grey list include Yemen, South Sudan, Syria, Morocco, Albania and Zimbabwe. (With inputs from Agencies)

Politicisation by some countries, says Pakistan on FATF grey list

Pakistan's record with money is exceptional. It's the global headquarters of terror financing. It has been on the FATF grey list for more than two years and should be on the blacklist but like most international institutions and mechanisms this too is turning out to be a bit of a farce.

The Financial Action Task Force(FATF), the global terror financing watchdog has proved to be toothless in the last two years. Pakistan has failed every assessment spectacularly yet it evades the blacklist and continues to operate terror factories.

In June 2018, Pakistan was put on the grey list for terror financing. It was given two years to clean up its act and 27 action points to deliver. The deadline passed this year. In October 2020, a review was conducted and Pakistan failed. It had not fulfilled six key obligations.

Pakistan was set to be blacklisted but it did not happen. It was saved again and given another extension, now it has time till February 2021. Pakistan is far from demolishing its terror factories. It is demolishing the credibility of the FATF which is the global watchdog on terror financing but has proved toothless against a terror state.

In order to get off the grey list, Pakistan must block funding to UN-designated terror groups like the Taliban, al-Qaida, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad. However, Pakistan hasn't done it.

Since June 2018, it has got three extensions including a four-month grace period. Pakistan has mastered the art by pulling wool over the eyes of the watchdog. One month before the FATF meeting, Pakistan froze 964 properties of terror groups like the Jaish-e-Mohammad and the Jamaat-ud-Dawa.

In February, Hafiz Saeed was sentenced to more than five years in jail. In August, three of his associates were jailed by a court in Lahore. It happened just before the FATF meeting in October but the trials and the crackdown was just an eyewash.

Now, the sentences against Hafiz Saeed and his allies are under appeal. The terror activities of Jaish-e-Mohammad continues. Recently, intelligence sources told WION that the group has resumed its terror camps in Balakot. A video recently surfaced from one of the camps where anti-India slogans were raised.

Two weeks ago, Pakistan managed to secure a concession for Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi who is reportedly operations head of Lashkar-e-Taiba and one of the minds behind the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

Reports say Islamabad has been permitted to pay Lakhvi 1.5 lakh Pakistani rupees every month. Pakistan's next review is now barely two months away and once again Islamabad has begun constructing another smokescreen.

This week, Hafiz Saeed was sentenced to 15 years in jail in another case but, his network of terrorists still remains intact.

Pakistan's record with money is exceptional. It's the global headquarters of terror financing. It has been on the FATF grey list for more than two years and should be on the blacklist but like most international institutions and mechanisms this too is turning out to be a bit of a farce.

Pakistan's record with money is exceptional. It's the global headquarters of terror financing. It has been on the FATF grey list for more than two years and should be on the blacklist but like most international institutions and mechanisms this too is turning out to be a bit of a farce. The Financial Action Task Force(FATF), the global terror financing watchdog has proved to be toothless in the last two years. Pakistan has failed every assessment spectacularly yet it evades the blacklist and continues to operate terror factories. In June 2018, Pakistan was put on the grey list for terror financing. It was given two years to clean up its act and 27 action points to deliver. The deadline passed this year. In October 2020, a review was conducted and Pakistan failed. It had not fulfilled six key obligations. Pakistan was set to be blacklisted but it did not happen. It was saved again and given another extension, now it has time till February 2021. Pakistan is far from demolishing its terror factories. It is demolishing the credibility of the FATF which is the global watchdog on terror financing but has proved toothless against a terror state. In order to get off the grey list, Pakistan must block funding to UN-designated terror groups like the Taliban, al-Qaida, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad. However, Pakistan hasn't done it. Since June 2018, it has got three extensions including a four-month grace period. Pakistan has mastered the art by pulling wool over the eyes of the watchdog. One month before the FATF meeting, Pakistan froze 964 properties of terror groups like the Jaish-e-Mohammad and the Jamaat-ud-Dawa. In February, Hafiz Saeed was sentenced to more than five years in jail. In August, three of his associates were jailed by a court in Lahore. It happened just before the FATF meeting in October but the trials and the crackdown was just an eyewash. Now, the sentences against Hafiz Saeed and his allies are under appeal. The terror activities of Jaish-e-Mohammad continues. Recently, intelligence sources told WION that the group has resumed its terror camps in Balakot. A video recently surfaced from one of the camps where anti-India slogans were raised. Two weeks ago, Pakistan managed to secure a concession for Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi who is reportedly operations head of Lashkar-e-Taiba and one of the minds behind the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Reports say Islamabad has been permitted to pay Lakhvi 1.5 lakh Pakistani rupees every month. Pakistan's next review is now barely two months away and once again Islamabad has begun constructing another smokescreen. This week, Hafiz Saeed was sentenced to 15 years in jail in another case but, his network of terrorists still remains intact.

Pakistan openly flouts FATF terror guidelines

As the two-day Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting heads towards a conclusion, Islamabad is making last-ditch attempts to avoid getting blacklisted. Pakistan President Dr Arif Alvi summoned a joint sitting of the Parliament earlier today.

On the agenda was FATF-related legislation. The session lasted for six hours and it concluded with the passage of an anti-terrorism bill. A last-minute bill aimed at impressing the FATF by portraying how Islamabad is cracking down on terror funding.

The Pakistan government also presented the steps it has taken so far to curb terror but they fail to impress.

During the question hour in the Senate, the interior minister of Pakistan shared details of how his office had frozen the properties of several undesignated entities. Pakistan claims to have frozen more than 950 properties and assets of proscribed terror outfits, 57 of these properties belong to Jaish-e-Mohammad and a total 907 belong Jamaat-ud-Dawa.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-pakistans-last-ditch-effort-to-avoid-fatf-blacklisting-328021/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The properties in question include mosques, madrassas, schools, colleges, ambulances, dispensaries, hospitals, buildings and boats. They are spread over the provinces of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and PoK. The Pakistan government says that all these properties have now been frozen, but these are not the only loopholes in Pakistan's arguments.

Islamabad claims to have frozen the properties of all undesignated entities, then, what about Dawood Ibrahim? India's most wanted terrorist who remains on the UN sanctions list. He has been hiding in Pakistan and there is mounting evidence but his name does not feature anywhere in Pak interior ministry's list.

As the two-day Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting heads towards a conclusion, Islamabad is making last-ditch attempts to avoid getting blacklisted. Pakistan President Dr Arif Alvi summoned a joint sitting of the Parliament earlier today.

As the two-day Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting heads towards a conclusion, Islamabad is making last-ditch attempts to avoid getting blacklisted. Pakistan President Dr Arif Alvi summoned a joint sitting of the Parliament earlier today. On the agenda was FATF-related legislation. The session lasted for six hours and it concluded with the passage of an anti-terrorism bill. A last-minute bill aimed at impressing the FATF by portraying how Islamabad is cracking down on terror funding. The Pakistan government also presented the steps it has taken so far to curb terror but they fail to impress. During the question hour in the Senate, the interior minister of Pakistan shared details of how his office had frozen the properties of several undesignated entities. Pakistan claims to have frozen more than 950 properties and assets of proscribed terror outfits, 57 of these properties belong to Jaish-e-Mohammad and a total 907 belong Jamaat-ud-Dawa. × The properties in question include mosques, madrassas, schools, colleges, ambulances, dispensaries, hospitals, buildings and boats. They are spread over the provinces of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and PoK. The Pakistan government says that all these properties have now been frozen, but these are not the only loopholes in Pakistan's arguments. Islamabad claims to have frozen the properties of all undesignated entities, then, what about Dawood Ibrahim? India's most wanted terrorist who remains on the UN sanctions list. He has been hiding in Pakistan and there is mounting evidence but his name does not feature anywhere in Pak interior ministry's list.

FATF: Pak government presents details on anti-terror measures during Parliament session

Pakistan government has vowed to bring back ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, asserting that it won’t be "blackmailed to let go off" because of FATF legislation.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-targets-hafiz-saeed-masood-azhar-dawood-ibrahim-increases-curbs-on-terror-groups-to-avoid-fatf-blacklist-322394">Also Read: Pak targets Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar &amp; Dawood Ibrahim&nbsp;to avoid FATF blacklist</a>

Pakistan government on Saturday had announced that it would bring back Nawaz Sharif from London as the tussle with the unrelenting Opposition on legislation regarding FATF intensified.

The decision to bring back Sharif has become a race against time for the Imran Khan government which needs to meet the FATF requirements, plenary for which is due in October.

"Have written to the British government, and have informed the court that we will do our utmost to bring him back", said Shahzad Akbar, Pakistan PM's adviser on accountability.

The government intends on bringing FATF-related legislation which are necessary for Pakistan to comply in continuation with the implementation of its negotiated 27 point action plan even as the Opposition sees it as an opportunity to bargain with the government on accountability laws and the proposed 34 amendments.

The Imran government has accused the Opposition of blackmail&nbsp;on matters pertaining to national importance. However, the Opposition says that they would want to talk on all bills including the legislation pertaining to FATF.

Pakistan was given a comprehensive 27 point action plan by FATF to be implemented in an 18-month timeframe. Pakistan was put under "greylist" in June, 2018.

Pakistan has completed 14 of the 27 points in the action plan currently, with 11 being partially completed as per the February plenary meet and two which are incomplete.

The FATF action plan calls Pakistan for effective legislation against terror financing.

Pakistan government has vowed to bring back ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, asserting that it won’t be "blackmailed to let go off" because of FATF legislation.

Pakistan government has vowed to bring back ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, asserting that it won’t be "blackmailed to let go off" because of FATF legislation. Also Read: Pak targets Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar & Dawood Ibrahim to avoid FATF blacklist Pakistan government on Saturday had announced that it would bring back Nawaz Sharif from London as the tussle with the unrelenting Opposition on legislation regarding FATF intensified. The decision to bring back Sharif has become a race against time for the Imran Khan government which needs to meet the FATF requirements, plenary for which is due in October. "Have written to the British government, and have informed the court that we will do our utmost to bring him back", said Shahzad Akbar, Pakistan PM's adviser on accountability. The government intends on bringing FATF-related legislation which are necessary for Pakistan to comply in continuation with the implementation of its negotiated 27 point action plan even as the Opposition sees it as an opportunity to bargain with the government on accountability laws and the proposed 34 amendments. The Imran government has accused the Opposition of blackmail on matters pertaining to national importance. However, the Opposition says that they would want to talk on all bills including the legislation pertaining to FATF. Pakistan was given a comprehensive 27 point action plan by FATF to be implemented in an 18-month timeframe. Pakistan was put under "greylist" in June, 2018. Pakistan has completed 14 of the 27 points in the action plan currently, with 11 being partially completed as per the February plenary meet and two which are incomplete. The FATF action plan calls Pakistan for effective legislation against terror financing.

Pakistan government vows to bring back ousted PM Nawaz Sharif from London

The plenary meeting of the Financial Action Task Force(FATF) has decided to keep Pakistan on the terror "grey list", according to reports.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-continues-to-serve-as-safe-haven-for-regionally-focused-terrorist-groups-us-report-308396">Also Read:&nbsp;Pakistan continues to serve as safe haven for regionally-focused terrorist groups:, says US report</a>

Pakistan’s progress on its anti-terror Action Plan wasn't considered due to situation arising out of coronavirus pandemic. Pakistan had already been given an additional four months time in April 2020 to work on the anti-terror plan.

The Paris-based anti-terror global watchdog had given Pakistan until June to improve its counter-terror financing operations in line with an internationally agreed action plan or face action.

In fact, Pakistan's staunch ally Beijing had sent a stern message to Pakistan to complete its commitments on action against terrorist financing.

Pakistan’s progress on its Action Plan will now be evaluated in the next FATF plenary meeting to be held in October 2020, ANI quoted sources as saying.

Pakistan will reportedly continue to be in the grey list till February 2021, even if it completes all its action plan items by October 2020, reports said. ANI sources said that a FATF team would have to confirm completion of Action Plan with an on-site visit before it can put Pakistan out of the "grey list".

Blacklisting by the Paris-based financial action task force will be a big blow for Pakistan's economic reform programme leading to severe economic sanctions with the country&nbsp;already under strain due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The plenary meeting of the Financial Action Task Force(FATF) has decided to keep Pakistan on the terror "grey list", according to reports. Also Read: Pakistan continues to serve as safe haven for regionally-focused terrorist groups:, says US report Pakistan’s progress on its anti-terror Action Plan wasn't considered due to situation arising out of coronavirus pandemic.

The plenary meeting of the Financial Action Task Force(FATF) has decided to keep Pakistan on the terror "grey list", according to reports. Also Read: Pakistan continues to serve as safe haven for regionally-focused terrorist groups:, says US report Pakistan’s progress on its anti-terror Action Plan wasn't considered due to situation arising out of coronavirus pandemic. Pakistan had already been given an additional four months time in April 2020 to work on the anti-terror plan. The Paris-based anti-terror global watchdog had given Pakistan until June to improve its counter-terror financing operations in line with an internationally agreed action plan or face action. In fact, Pakistan's staunch ally Beijing had sent a stern message to Pakistan to complete its commitments on action against terrorist financing. Pakistan’s progress on its Action Plan will now be evaluated in the next FATF plenary meeting to be held in October 2020, ANI quoted sources as saying. Pakistan will reportedly continue to be in the grey list till February 2021, even if it completes all its action plan items by October 2020, reports said. ANI sources said that a FATF team would have to confirm completion of Action Plan with an on-site visit before it can put Pakistan out of the "grey list". Blacklisting by the Paris-based financial action task force will be a big blow for Pakistan's economic reform programme leading to severe economic sanctions with the country already under strain due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Pakistan to remain in FATF's terror financing 'grey list': Report

In a reply to Pakistan compliance report, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-needs-to-fulfill-fatf-commitment-french-envoy-emmanuel-lenain-268569">Financial Action Task Force</a> has forwarded a total of 150 queries mostly in regards to the actions taken by Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government against terrorism. The government has to submit the answers in this regard by January 8. 
 
The FATF has asked authorities to ensure that the individuals affiliated to terrorist organisations are convicted and also sought details of legal actions taken to regulate madrassas operating in the country. 
 
According to finance ministry sources, Pakistan has received a questionnaire from the terror financing watchdog containing 150 queries, Express Tribune reported. 
 
The set of queries comes after Islamabad <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-submits-compliance-report-to-fatf-266788">submitted its compliance report</a> answering 22 questions raised by the FATF early this month. 
 
While addressing the new set of questions, Pakistan will inform the FATF about its recent actions to curb money laundering and terror financing. It will also tell the FATF about its efforts to curb the illegal cross-border movement of currency. 
 
Notably, in its compliance report on December 7, Pakistan detailed the actions taken by its government against United Nations-terrorists groups as well as sentences handed to them by the courts, reported Geo News. 
 
The FATF is scheduled to meet in February 2020 in order to decide whether the country should be put on the blacklist or not. The country was put on the grey list last year in February 2020. 
 
Islamabad is hoping that the watchdog extends the current deadline of complying to FATF's 27 action plans from February to June 2020 in its upcoming plenary review meeting as the current deadline is too short. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/fatf-european-union-offers-technical-assistance-to-pakistan-262766">The FATF</a> had already granted an extension till February 2020 in a meeting in October this year.

The task force kept the country on its grey list for an extended period up to February 2020 and warned that Islamabad would be put on the blacklist if it did not comply with the remaining 22 out of 27 points related to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing.

In a reply to Pakistan compliance report, the Financial Action Task Force has forwarded a total of 150 queries mostly in regards to the actions taken by Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government against terrorism.

In a reply to Pakistan compliance report, the Financial Action Task Force has forwarded a total of 150 queries mostly in regards to the actions taken by Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government against terrorism. The government has to submit the answers in this regard by January 8. The FATF has asked authorities to ensure that the individuals affiliated to terrorist organisations are convicted and also sought details of legal actions taken to regulate madrassas operating in the country. According to finance ministry sources, Pakistan has received a questionnaire from the terror financing watchdog containing 150 queries, Express Tribune reported. The set of queries comes after Islamabad submitted its compliance report answering 22 questions raised by the FATF early this month. While addressing the new set of questions, Pakistan will inform the FATF about its recent actions to curb money laundering and terror financing. It will also tell the FATF about its efforts to curb the illegal cross-border movement of currency. Notably, in its compliance report on December 7, Pakistan detailed the actions taken by its government against United Nations-terrorists groups as well as sentences handed to them by the courts, reported Geo News. The FATF is scheduled to meet in February 2020 in order to decide whether the country should be put on the blacklist or not. The country was put on the grey list last year in February 2020. Islamabad is hoping that the watchdog extends the current deadline of complying to FATF's 27 action plans from February to June 2020 in its upcoming plenary review meeting as the current deadline is too short. The FATF had already granted an extension till February 2020 in a meeting in October this year. The task force kept the country on its grey list for an extended period up to February 2020 and warned that Islamabad would be put on the blacklist if it did not comply with the remaining 22 out of 27 points related to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing.

FATF hands over 150 queries to Pakistan in response to compliance report

The European Union has offered technical assistance to Pakistan for the implementation of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) action plan by the country, according to a media report.

According to a joint press release issued at the conclusion of the 10th session of the European Union-Pakistan Joint Commission in Brussels on Friday, two sides emphasised the importance of the implementation of the FATF action plan by Pakistan, The Dawn reported.

The EU recognised the challenges faced by Pakistan in handling the most protracted refugee situation, and assured the country of continuation of its cooperation and assistance, working towards durable solutions for Afghan refugees and their host communities in the region, including the promotion of voluntary, safe, and dignified return to Afghanistan.

Global terror financing watchdog FATF last month retained Pakistan on its 'Grey List' till February 2020 for its failure to take adequate action against money laundering and terror financing.

Pakistan was placed on the Grey List by the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in June last year and was given a plan of action to complete it by October 2019 or face the risk of being placed on the Black List.

The European Union has offered technical assistance to Pakistan for the implementation of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) action plan by the country, according to a media report.

The European Union has offered technical assistance to Pakistan for the implementation of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) action plan by the country, according to a media report. According to a joint press release issued at the conclusion of the 10th session of the European Union-Pakistan Joint Commission in Brussels on Friday, two sides emphasised the importance of the implementation of the FATF action plan by Pakistan, The Dawn reported. The EU recognised the challenges faced by Pakistan in handling the most protracted refugee situation, and assured the country of continuation of its cooperation and assistance, working towards durable solutions for Afghan refugees and their host communities in the region, including the promotion of voluntary, safe, and dignified return to Afghanistan. Global terror financing watchdog FATF last month retained Pakistan on its 'Grey List' till February 2020 for its failure to take adequate action against money laundering and terror financing. Pakistan was placed on the Grey List by the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in June last year and was given a plan of action to complete it by October 2019 or face the risk of being placed on the Black List.

FATF: European Union offers technical assistance to Pakistan

fatf-action-plan

Fatf Action Plan, News on Fatf Action Plan, stories on Fatf Action Plan, articles on Fatf Action Plan, Fatf Action Plan stories at Wion, Fatf Action Plan news, Fatf Action Plan latest news

fatf action-plan