<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maryam-nawazs-husband-arrested-amid-opposition-protests-in-pakistan-336323">Pakistan</a> Army is conspiring to push large groups of terrorists in Kashmir in order to create disturbances, said security agencies, adding that Pakistan's Border Action Team is also active at some of the launch pads near Line of Control(LoC) in order to help the terrorists.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-fails-to-fulfil-six-key-mandates-of-fatf-no-action-against-hafiz-saeed-336211">Also Read:&nbsp;Pak fails to fulfil six key mandates of FATF; no action against Hafiz Saeed</a>

As per intelligence agencies report, a group of 80 terrorists have been spotted at launch pads of Athmuqam, Dudhniyal and Tahandapani areas opposite Karen sector. The presence of Pak Army SSG shows that they are planning for some BAT action near LoC.

A group of ten terrorists belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba are currently stationed near Neelam Valley and are looking for an opportunity to infiltrate inside India.

According to security agencies, around 40 terrorists are camping at Pakistani villages in Sujian area. These terrorists are from Jaish and Al Badr. Around twenty&nbsp;terrorists are currently present opposite Krishna Ghati at Madarpur and Nattar areas, while 35 terrorists are camping opposite Bhimber Gali at Lanjot and are planning to enter India.&nbsp;

Security agencies reported that a group of 25 terrorists are camping at Rajaouri in Dak Khana area, while 35 terrorists are present opposite Naushera at Jhandi. All these terrorists are planning to infiltrate inside India with the help of Pakistan SSG.

Pakistan Army is conspiring to push large groups of terrorists in Kashmir in order to create disturbances, said security agencies, adding that Pakistan's Border Action Team is also active at some of the launch pads near Line of Control(LoC) in order to help the terrorists.

Pakistan Army is conspiring to push large groups of terrorists in Kashmir in order to create disturbances, said security agencies, adding that Pakistan's Border Action Team is also active at some of the launch pads near Line of Control(LoC) in order to help the terrorists. Also Read: Pak fails to fulfil six key mandates of FATF; no action against Hafiz Saeed As per intelligence agencies report, a group of 80 terrorists have been spotted at launch pads of Athmuqam, Dudhniyal and Tahandapani areas opposite Karen sector. The presence of Pak Army SSG shows that they are planning for some BAT action near LoC. A group of ten terrorists belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba are currently stationed near Neelam Valley and are looking for an opportunity to infiltrate inside India. According to security agencies, around 40 terrorists are camping at Pakistani villages in Sujian area. These terrorists are from Jaish and Al Badr. Around twenty terrorists are currently present opposite Krishna Ghati at Madarpur and Nattar areas, while 35 terrorists are camping opposite Bhimber Gali at Lanjot and are planning to enter India. Security agencies reported that a group of 25 terrorists are camping at Rajaouri in Dak Khana area, while 35 terrorists are present opposite Naushera at Jhandi. All these terrorists are planning to infiltrate inside India with the help of Pakistan SSG.

Intelligence agencies reveal Pakistan Army's strategy to unleash terror in J&K

Pakistan is believed&nbsp;to now relying on American lobbying firms to wriggle&nbsp;its way out of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in view of the upcoming October 21-23 plenary and sub-groups meeting of the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog.

Pakistan requires support of at least 12 out of 39 member states to remove its name from the grey list, pushing the ball to the US' court at the Paris plenary.

Several media reports say Texas-based Linden Strategies has been hired by the Pakistan government to lobby with the Donald Trump administration.

FATF had placed Pakistan on its grey list in June 2018 and asked Islamabad to implement a plan of action to curb money laundering and terror financing by the end of 2019 but the deadline was extended later on due to COVID-19 pandemic.

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Seeking to wriggle out of the FATF's grey list, debt-ridden Pakistan in August imposed financial sanctions on 88 banned terror groups and their leaders, including 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

In February, the FATF gave Pakistan, which missed 13 targets, a four-month grace period to complete its 27-point action plan against ML&amp;TF committed with the international community. In its third plenary held virtually in June, the FATF decided to keep Pakistan in the grey list as Islamabad failed to check flow of money to terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

The US had earlier dismissed Pakistan's claims of acting against these individuals and organisations. It has indicted Pakistan for continuing to act as “safe harbour” for other regionally focused terrorist groups.

A report published in Hindustan Times said Pakistan was keen to impress upon the Trump administration action taken against terrorists. And for this reason, Pakistan has sought the help of lobbying firm Linden Strategies which calls itself a "government relations and business development firm providing strategic analysis and advisory to domestic and international clients, including sovereign nations”.

Pakistan wants to establish that there is no involvement of Pakistan’s deep state in al Qaeda and the Islamic state in Afghanistan, or in any terror activity for that matter.

Meanwhile, according to another media report, a regional affiliate of the Financial Action Task Force on Monday retained the country on its 'Enhanced Follow-up' list. It had noted that Pakistan's measures against money laundering and terror financing "is not yet sufficient to justify a re-rating".

The first Follow-Up Report on Mutual Evaluation of Pakistan released by the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) underlined that the country's progress on the 40 FATF recommendations on the effectiveness of anti-money laundering and combating financing terror (AML/CFT) system largely remained unchanged -- non-compliant on four counts, partially compliant on 25 counts and largely compliant on nine recommendations, the Dawn News reported.

Pakistan has improved its full compliance on only two of the 40 FATF recommendations, the APG report noted.

The APG Mutual Evaluations is a peer-review system to determine whether countries meet the compliance standards for money laundering and terror financing.

After a country submits a Mutual Evaluation report, APG members can decide to place a member either through regular or enhanced follow-up. While a regular follow-up means just biennial reports, a country put under enhanced follow-up has to send four reports of compliance the following year.

Pakistan had requested for re-ratings on three areas declared partially compliant by the APG in October last year. The request was accepted on one count and rejected on two due to "insufficient" progress to the satisfaction of international experts.

The 41-member APG in August last year had downgraded Pakistan's status to 'Enhanced Follow-up' category from 'Regular Follow-up' over technical deficiencies to meet normal international financial standards by October 2018.

'Enhanced follow-up' is an intensive process of correction that deals with members with significant deficiencies (for technical compliance or effectiveness) in their AML/CFT systems.

With Pakistan's continuation in the 'grey list', it is increasingly becoming difficult for the country to get financial aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the European Union, thus further enhancing problems for the nation which is in a precarious financial situation.

The APG report noted that Pakistan considered 12 terrorist organisations, including eight UN-designated entities of concern (EOCs), for threat profiles but only in terms of inflows and not outflow of funds to support terrorist activities.

It also noted that the National Risk Assessment (NRA) 2019 has confirmed that abuse of non-profit organisations for terror financing purposes continued to pose a significant threat both domestically and externally and that charities and fund-raising was a source of funds for almost all EOCs.

(with inputs)

Pakistan is believed to now relying on American lobbying firms to wriggle its way out of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in view of the upcoming October 21-23 plenary and sub-groups meeting of the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog.

Pakistan is believed to now relying on American lobbying firms to wriggle its way out of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in view of the upcoming October 21-23 plenary and sub-groups meeting of the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog. Pakistan requires support of at least 12 out of 39 member states to remove its name from the grey list, pushing the ball to the US' court at the Paris plenary. Several media reports say Texas-based Linden Strategies has been hired by the Pakistan government to lobby with the Donald Trump administration. FATF had placed Pakistan on its grey list in June 2018 and asked Islamabad to implement a plan of action to curb money laundering and terror financing by the end of 2019 but the deadline was extended later on due to COVID-19 pandemic. × Seeking to wriggle out of the FATF's grey list, debt-ridden Pakistan in August imposed financial sanctions on 88 banned terror groups and their leaders, including 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. In February, the FATF gave Pakistan, which missed 13 targets, a four-month grace period to complete its 27-point action plan against ML&TF committed with the international community. In its third plenary held virtually in June, the FATF decided to keep Pakistan in the grey list as Islamabad failed to check flow of money to terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The US had earlier dismissed Pakistan's claims of acting against these individuals and organisations. It has indicted Pakistan for continuing to act as “safe harbour” for other regionally focused terrorist groups. A report published in Hindustan Times said Pakistan was keen to impress upon the Trump administration action taken against terrorists. And for this reason, Pakistan has sought the help of lobbying firm Linden Strategies which calls itself a "government relations and business development firm providing strategic analysis and advisory to domestic and international clients, including sovereign nations”. Pakistan wants to establish that there is no involvement of Pakistan’s deep state in al Qaeda and the Islamic state in Afghanistan, or in any terror activity for that matter. Meanwhile, according to another media report, a regional affiliate of the Financial Action Task Force on Monday retained the country on its 'Enhanced Follow-up' list. It had noted that Pakistan's measures against money laundering and terror financing "is not yet sufficient to justify a re-rating". The first Follow-Up Report on Mutual Evaluation of Pakistan released by the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) underlined that the country's progress on the 40 FATF recommendations on the effectiveness of anti-money laundering and combating financing terror (AML/CFT) system largely remained unchanged -- non-compliant on four counts, partially compliant on 25 counts and largely compliant on nine recommendations, the Dawn News reported. Pakistan has improved its full compliance on only two of the 40 FATF recommendations, the APG report noted. The APG Mutual Evaluations is a peer-review system to determine whether countries meet the compliance standards for money laundering and terror financing. After a country submits a Mutual Evaluation report, APG members can decide to place a member either through regular or enhanced follow-up. While a regular follow-up means just biennial reports, a country put under enhanced follow-up has to send four reports of compliance the following year. Pakistan had requested for re-ratings on three areas declared partially compliant by the APG in October last year. The request was accepted on one count and rejected on two due to "insufficient" progress to the satisfaction of international experts. The 41-member APG in August last year had downgraded Pakistan's status to 'Enhanced Follow-up' category from 'Regular Follow-up' over technical deficiencies to meet normal international financial standards by October 2018. 'Enhanced follow-up' is an intensive process of correction that deals with members with significant deficiencies (for technical compliance or effectiveness) in their AML/CFT systems. With Pakistan's continuation in the 'grey list', it is increasingly becoming difficult for the country to get financial aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the European Union, thus further enhancing problems for the nation which is in a precarious financial situation. The APG report noted that Pakistan considered 12 terrorist organisations, including eight UN-designated entities of concern (EOCs), for threat profiles but only in terms of inflows and not outflow of funds to support terrorist activities. It also noted that the National Risk Assessment (NRA) 2019 has confirmed that abuse of non-profit organisations for terror financing purposes continued to pose a significant threat both domestically and externally and that charities and fund-raising was a source of funds for almost all EOCs. (with inputs)

Pakistan hires top lobbying firm for a US bailout from FATF grey list; regional group highlights 'meagre' progress

As a special group of the FATF reviews Islamabad's progress on curbing terror, Pak FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi is hopeful that his country will soon be on terror watchdog's 'White list'. Does such a list even exist? Palki Sharma Upadhyay gets you the story.

Gravitas: Pakistan wants to be on FATF 'white list'

FATF's special group will review Pakistan's progress. Pakistan failed a peer review by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Watch this video to know more.

WION Dispatch: FATF's special group to review Pakistan's progress

Pakistan has improved its full compliance on only two of the 40 FATF recommendations, the APG report noted.

FATF's special group to review Pak's progress | FATF 2-Day meet

Pakistan has hired an American lobbying firm to push a pro-Islamabad line and wriggle out of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list

Pakistan hires US lobbying firm to move out of FATF grey list: Reports

The Pakistan Parliament today met to vote on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) related legislation.

The FATF bill regarding Waqf properties bill was tabled and was initially adopted through verbal votes of "ayes" in favour of the bill, however, the House Speaker later asked for a vote count after the Opposition objected, the bill was finally passed with 200 members voting in favour and 190 voting against it.

The joint session of Parliament was chaired by National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser. The meeting was also being attended by PM Imran Khan.

The Pakistan Parliament also passed the Anti-Terrorism Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020, according to Dawn.&nbsp;

The urgent Parliament session was being convened after the Paris-based FATF put Pakistan on the "grey list" of terror financing and asked Pakistan to adopt measures to end the misuse of funds.

Earlier this year, Pakistan was evaluated on 27 action points by the Paris-based organization and it failed on 13 of them. The FATF had set a September deadline for Pakistan to comply with a list of measures to avoid being blacklisted.

The Pakistan Parliament today met to vote on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) related legislation. The FATF bill regarding Waqf properties bill was tabled and was initially adopted through verbal votes of "ayes" in favour of the bill, however, the House Speaker later asked for a vote count after the Opposition objected, the bill was finally passed with 200 members voting in favour and 190 voting against it.

The Pakistan Parliament today met to vote on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) related legislation. The FATF bill regarding Waqf properties bill was tabled and was initially adopted through verbal votes of "ayes" in favour of the bill, however, the House Speaker later asked for a vote count after the Opposition objected, the bill was finally passed with 200 members voting in favour and 190 voting against it. The joint session of Parliament was chaired by National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser. The meeting was also being attended by PM Imran Khan. The Pakistan Parliament also passed the Anti-Terrorism Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020, according to Dawn. The urgent Parliament session was being convened after the Paris-based FATF put Pakistan on the "grey list" of terror financing and asked Pakistan to adopt measures to end the misuse of funds. Earlier this year, Pakistan was evaluated on 27 action points by the Paris-based organization and it failed on 13 of them. The FATF had set a September deadline for Pakistan to comply with a list of measures to avoid being blacklisted.

Pakistan Parliament passes FATF-related bills amid uproar

As a FATF meeting to review Pakistan's non-existent progress on curbing terror heads to a conclusion, Islamabad is trying to save face and making last-ditch efforts to avoid getting blacklisted. Palki Sharma Upadhyay gets you the story.

Gravitas: Pakistan's last-ditch effort to avoid FATF blacklisting

Pakistan is home to nearly 40,000 terrorists -- 16 of whom are blacklisted by the United Nations. India's neighbour is home to nearly 40,000 terrorists -- 16 of whom are blacklisted by the United Nations. India slammed Pakistan, Turkey and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at United Nation's Human Rights Council (UNHRC) after they raked the Kashmir matter at the Geneva-based body.

WION Dispatch: Pakistan creates smokescreen of sanctions before FATF

Ahead of FATF's review, A WION investigation has revealed how: Masood Azhar runs his terror operations, despite UNSC sanctions, How Hafiz Saeed's son freely moves around Pakistan, How a Jaish leader threatened to 'destroy Indian Forces'

Gravitas: Proof of Pakistan's terror sponsorship: Why the FATF must blacklist Pakistan

There is only one country that has been responsible for risking global peace -- Pakistan.

India's neighbour is home to nearly 40,000 terrorists -- 16 of whom are blacklisted by the United Nations.

And none of this is a secret.

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But acknowledging this nexus between pakistan and terror is not enough.

What the world now needs is the FATF to blacklist Pakistan.

That's because Islamabad needs to be held accountable for harbouring, financing and assisting terror activities.

By simple definition, FATF stands for "reviewing money laundering and terrorist financing techniques and continuously strengthening its standards to address new risks, such as the regulation of virtual assets, which have spread as cryptocurrencies gain popularity."

The FATF monitors countries to ensure they implement the FATF standards fully and effectively, and holds countries to account that do not comply.

The FATF put Islamabad under the grey list in June 2018, and gave it two years and three extensions to deliver on 27 counts.

But Pakistan failed the FATF.

In 2019, the FATF told Pakistan to "demonstrate the effective implementation of the sanctions against UN-designated terrorists."

But Islamabad insulted FATF with its complicity. The prime example is Hafiz Saeed is roaming freely in Pakistan. He is undeterred by the FATF or the United Nations.

Pakistan is guilty of sponsoring terror, and the FATF needs to blacklist the country.

The FATF also has got to convince China, Malaysia and Turkey to wake up to the reality, keep their selfish interests aside, behave responsibly for once -- and punish Pakistan.

The FATF statement on February 21, 2020 read: "The FATF strongly urges Pakistan to swiftly complete its full action plan by June 2020, otherwise the FATF will take an action."

Islamabad has tossed the action plan out of the window. And now it is the FATF's turn to take action.

All we say, the FATF should set an example and blacklist Pakistan.

There is only one country that has been responsible for risking global peace -- Pakistan. India's neighbour is home to nearly 40,000 terrorists -- 16 of whom are blacklisted by the United Nations.

There is only one country that has been responsible for risking global peace -- Pakistan. India's neighbour is home to nearly 40,000 terrorists -- 16 of whom are blacklisted by the United Nations. And none of this is a secret. But acknowledging this nexus between pakistan and terror is not enough. What the world now needs is the FATF to blacklist Pakistan. That's because Islamabad needs to be held accountable for harbouring, financing and assisting terror activities. By simple definition, FATF stands for "reviewing money laundering and terrorist financing techniques and continuously strengthening its standards to address new risks, such as the regulation of virtual assets, which have spread as cryptocurrencies gain popularity." The FATF monitors countries to ensure they implement the FATF standards fully and effectively, and holds countries to account that do not comply. The FATF put Islamabad under the grey list in June 2018, and gave it two years and three extensions to deliver on 27 counts. But Pakistan failed the FATF. In 2019, the FATF told Pakistan to "demonstrate the effective implementation of the sanctions against UN-designated terrorists." But Islamabad insulted FATF with its complicity. The prime example is Hafiz Saeed is roaming freely in Pakistan. He is undeterred by the FATF or the United Nations. Pakistan is guilty of sponsoring terror, and the FATF needs to blacklist the country. The FATF also has got to convince China, Malaysia and Turkey to wake up to the reality, keep their selfish interests aside, behave responsibly for once -- and punish Pakistan. The FATF statement on February 21, 2020 read: "The FATF strongly urges Pakistan to swiftly complete its full action plan by June 2020, otherwise the FATF will take an action." Islamabad has tossed the action plan out of the window. And now it is the FATF's turn to take action. All we say, the FATF should set an example and blacklist Pakistan.

FATF needs to blacklist Pakistan. At any cost

Pakistan in holding a joint session of the Parliament to pass two bills related to the financial action task force or the FATF.

WION Dispatch: PM Imran Khan plays politics with Oppn. as FATF verdict hangs over Pak

Pakistan is set to convene a joint session of its parliament to pass two bills related to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), ahead of the terror financing watchdog's meet which will start on Tuesday.

In the meeting, the body will decide if they should blacklist Pakistan.

The Paris based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) put Pakistan on the grey list in June 2018 and asked Islamabad to implement a plan of action by the end of 2019 but the deadline was extended later due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The decision to call the fresh sessions was taken during a meeting between Prime Minister Imran Khan and his adviser on parliamentary affairs Babar Awan on Monday, according to a media report.

The Pakistan government earlier held a meeting to get all opposition parties on board for the proposed legislations related to the FATF. It said the bills were necessary for getting the country out of the greylist.

Pakistan has so far been saved by its allies -- China, Turkey and Malaysia.

Experts believe this safety shield will also expire in a few days.

Firstly, instead of clamping down on terrorists, Pakistan is misusing the laws to suppress critical voices with the arrest of journalists and threats of violence against editors.&nbsp;

Secondly, Pakistan government has been trying to convince the opposition to back two bills on FATF.

The second bill is related to an amendment to the anti-money laundering bill -- and the Islamabad capital territory Waqf properties bill.&nbsp;

Both are related to curbing money laundering and terror financing.

But despite this, Pakistan can show little or no progress in curbing terror.

Thirdly, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is still busy saving Bajwa, who is involved in a corruption scandal.

But the FATF's list of demands is clear. Earlier this year, Pakistan was evaluated on 27 action points. And it failed on 13 of them.

There were four broad parameters on which Pakistan didn't comply -- anti-money laundering and terror financing; prosecution and penalising terror financing; transparency and secrecy in financial institutions; and implementing an effective national mechanism to check illegal funding of terrorist outfits.&nbsp;

With Pakistan’s continuation in the ‘grey list’, it will be difficult for the country to get financial aid from the IMF, World Bank, ADB and the European Union, thus further enhancing problems for the nation which is in a precarious financial situation.

If Pakistan fails to comply with the FATF directive by October, there is every possibility that the global body may put the country in the ‘Black List’ along with North Korea and Iran.

The FATF is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.

(with inputs from agencies)

Pakistan is set to convene a joint session of its parliament to pass two bills related to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), ahead of the terror financing watchdog's meet which will start on Tuesday.

Pakistan is set to convene a joint session of its parliament to pass two bills related to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), ahead of the terror financing watchdog's meet which will start on Tuesday. In the meeting, the body will decide if they should blacklist Pakistan. The Paris based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) put Pakistan on the grey list in June 2018 and asked Islamabad to implement a plan of action by the end of 2019 but the deadline was extended later due to COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to call the fresh sessions was taken during a meeting between Prime Minister Imran Khan and his adviser on parliamentary affairs Babar Awan on Monday, according to a media report. The Pakistan government earlier held a meeting to get all opposition parties on board for the proposed legislations related to the FATF. It said the bills were necessary for getting the country out of the greylist. Pakistan has so far been saved by its allies -- China, Turkey and Malaysia. Experts believe this safety shield will also expire in a few days. Firstly, instead of clamping down on terrorists, Pakistan is misusing the laws to suppress critical voices with the arrest of journalists and threats of violence against editors. Secondly, Pakistan government has been trying to convince the opposition to back two bills on FATF. The second bill is related to an amendment to the anti-money laundering bill -- and the Islamabad capital territory Waqf properties bill. Both are related to curbing money laundering and terror financing. But despite this, Pakistan can show little or no progress in curbing terror. Thirdly, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is still busy saving Bajwa, who is involved in a corruption scandal. But the FATF's list of demands is clear. Earlier this year, Pakistan was evaluated on 27 action points. And it failed on 13 of them. There were four broad parameters on which Pakistan didn't comply -- anti-money laundering and terror financing; prosecution and penalising terror financing; transparency and secrecy in financial institutions; and implementing an effective national mechanism to check illegal funding of terrorist outfits. With Pakistan’s continuation in the ‘grey list’, it will be difficult for the country to get financial aid from the IMF, World Bank, ADB and the European Union, thus further enhancing problems for the nation which is in a precarious financial situation. If Pakistan fails to comply with the FATF directive by October, there is every possibility that the global body may put the country in the ‘Black List’ along with North Korea and Iran. The FATF is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system. (with inputs from agencies)

Pak to hold joint session of parliament to get FATF bills passed

Pakistan is close to being the blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The global terror-financing watchdogs will meet in coming days to decide on Pak's fate. PM Imran Khan will hold a meeting with all opposition parties for proposed legislations related to the FATF.

Pakistan to hold meeting with opposition parties regarding FATF greylist

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan has warned that if Pakistan is blacklisted at the FATF or Financial Action Task Force then Pakistan's economy will be destroyed due to inflation and a massive fall in Pakistani Rupee.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan has warned that if Pakistan is blacklisted at the FATF or Financial Action Task Force then Pakistan's economy will be destroyed due to inflation and a massive fall in Pakistani Rupee. Also read | In setback for Imran Khan govt, Germany refuses to modernise Pakistani submarines Speaking to a private news channel, Khan said, "If Pakistan is put on FATF's blacklist, then like Iran, deals will end. No international financial institutions will deal with us." Also read | Pakistan falsely claimed it made statement at UNSC: India Explaining, "It will impact the Pakistani Rupee and when Rupee starts to fall, we do not know how much it will fall. We do not have foreign reserves to save the Rupee. When rupee falls, everything will become costly — electricity, gas and Oil. Once we are on the blacklist, our entire economy will be destroyed due to inflation." Pakistan has been on FATF's greylist for last two years even as it has been given several deadlines to full fill its commitments to improve transparency in financial dealings and take action on the financing of terrorism. Khan blamed India for trying to push his country on the blacklist. He said, "If we go on the blacklist, Pakistan will be destroyed as India has been trying to do. Who is trying to put us on the blacklist, its India. For 2 year India has been trying to blacklist Pakistan by lobbying with the international community." FATF calls for transparent financial controls so that money is not used for financing of terror or money laundering. The Paris based body will meet in October and on the agenda will be future actions related to Pakistan's listing. After last year's meet, the grouping had called on Pakistan to "demonstrate" effective implementation of financial sanctions against all United Nation's 1267 committee designated international terrorist among other things. The list includes Pulwama attack mastermind Masood Azhar and 1993 Mumbai blast mastermind Dawood Ibrahim. According to estimates by Pakistani govt, greylisting of Pakistan at FATF is causing damage of around $10 billion annually to the country.

FATF blacklisting will destroy Pakistani economy, says Imran Khan

Days after including India's most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim on its new sanctions list, Pakistan on Sunday tried to wriggle out of its admission on his presence in the country by claiming that its notifications about the 88 banned terror groups and their leaders were based on the details provided by the UN.

Seeking to escape from getting blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog, Pakistan on Friday imposed tough financial sanctions on 88 banned terror groups and their leaders, including Ibrahim, 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar.

The Pakistan government ordered the seizure of all movable and immovable properties of these outfits and individuals, and freezing of their bank accounts.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/fatf-effect-pakistan-admits-1993-mumbai-serial-blasts-mastermind-dawood-ibrahim-resides-in-karachi-322451">Also read |&nbsp;FATF effect: Pakistan admits 1993 Mumbai serial blasts mastermind Dawood Ibrahim resides in Karachi</a>

Underworld don Ibrahim, who heads a vast and multifaceted illegal business, has emerged as India's most wanted terrorist after the 1993 Mumbai bombings.

In 2003, the US declared Ibrahim as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. India has repeatedly asked the Government of Pakistan to hand over Ibrahim to India so that he can be prosecuted for the crimes committed by him. It is reported that Ibrahim is based in the southern port city of Karachi.

Pakistan's Foreign Office issued a midnight statement in response to the media reports that Islamabad had admitted in the two new notifications issued on August 18 that Ibrahim was residing in the country.

It said that the SROs (Statutory Regulatory Orders) issued reflect the information contained in the list entry of UN designated individuals/entities. It said the reports in certain sections of the media about Pakistan imposing new sanctions measures, through these SROs, were not factual.

The assertions made by some sections of the media, as to Pakistan admitting to the "presence of certain listed individuals on its territory, based on the information contained in the SRO, are baseless and misleading", it claimed.

"It is once again reiterated that the information contained in the SRO is reproduced as per the details in the list entry of the individuals/entities designated under the two sanctions regime, which is publicly available, and contains names of individuals who despite their confirmed deceased status still continue to be on the sanctions list," it said.

The Foreign Office said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued two consolidated SROs on August 18, reflecting the current status of the UN Taliban and ISIL (Da'esh) and AQ Sanctions list.

These lists contain names of individuals and entities designated under the two sanction regimes established pursuant to the UN Security Council resolutions, it said, adding that the consolidated SROs are issued periodically as a routine matter.

Similar SROs have been issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the past, as per statutory requirements to meet our international obligations. The last such SROs were issued in 2019, the Foreign Office said.

The Paris-based FATF put Pakistan on the grey list in June 2018 and asked Islamabad to implement a plan of action by the end of 2019, but the deadline was extended later due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Though various sanctions were in place against almost all of those listed by the UNSC, the Pakistan government through the new notifications on Friday consolidated and documented the previously announced measures, Pakistani media reports said on Saturday.

The UNSC Sanctions Committee deals with sanctions on entities and individuals declared as terrorists. All states, including Pakistan, are bound to implement the sanctions which include assets freeze, an arms embargo, and travel ban.

It is believed that the latest move by the Pakistan government is part of its efforts to wriggle out of the grey list of the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog FATF.

On August 12, Pakistan Parliament's lower house passed four bills related to the tough conditions set by the FATF after the government and the Opposition reached a consensus.

The legislation was part of the efforts by Pakistan to move from the FATF's grey list to the white list.

In its third and final plenary held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic in June, the FATF decided to keep Pakistan in the "grey list" as Islamabad failed to check the flow of money to terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The plenary was held under the Chinese Presidency of Xiangmin Liu.

With Pakistan's continuation in the 'grey list', it will be difficult for the country to get financial aid from the IMF, World Bank, ADB, and the European Union, thus further enhancing problems for the nation which is in a precarious financial situation.

If Pakistan fails to comply with the FATF directive by October, there is every possibility that the global body may put the country in the 'Black List' along with North Korea and Iran.

The FATF is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.

The FATF currently has 39 members including two regional organisations - the European Commission and Gulf Cooperation Council.&nbsp;

Days after including India's most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim on its new sanctions list, Pakistan on Sunday tried to wriggle out of its admission on his presence in the country by claiming that its notifications about the 88 banned terror groups and their leaders were based on the details provided by the UN.

Days after including India's most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim on its new sanctions list, Pakistan on Sunday tried to wriggle out of its admission on his presence in the country by claiming that its notifications about the 88 banned terror groups and their leaders were based on the details provided by the UN. Seeking to escape from getting blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog, Pakistan on Friday imposed tough financial sanctions on 88 banned terror groups and their leaders, including Ibrahim, 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar. The Pakistan government ordered the seizure of all movable and immovable properties of these outfits and individuals, and freezing of their bank accounts. Also read | FATF effect: Pakistan admits 1993 Mumbai serial blasts mastermind Dawood Ibrahim resides in Karachi Underworld don Ibrahim, who heads a vast and multifaceted illegal business, has emerged as India's most wanted terrorist after the 1993 Mumbai bombings. In 2003, the US declared Ibrahim as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. India has repeatedly asked the Government of Pakistan to hand over Ibrahim to India so that he can be prosecuted for the crimes committed by him. It is reported that Ibrahim is based in the southern port city of Karachi. Pakistan's Foreign Office issued a midnight statement in response to the media reports that Islamabad had admitted in the two new notifications issued on August 18 that Ibrahim was residing in the country. It said that the SROs (Statutory Regulatory Orders) issued reflect the information contained in the list entry of UN designated individuals/entities. It said the reports in certain sections of the media about Pakistan imposing new sanctions measures, through these SROs, were not factual. The assertions made by some sections of the media, as to Pakistan admitting to the "presence of certain listed individuals on its territory, based on the information contained in the SRO, are baseless and misleading", it claimed. "It is once again reiterated that the information contained in the SRO is reproduced as per the details in the list entry of the individuals/entities designated under the two sanctions regime, which is publicly available, and contains names of individuals who despite their confirmed deceased status still continue to be on the sanctions list," it said. The Foreign Office said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued two consolidated SROs on August 18, reflecting the current status of the UN Taliban and ISIL (Da'esh) and AQ Sanctions list. These lists contain names of individuals and entities designated under the two sanction regimes established pursuant to the UN Security Council resolutions, it said, adding that the consolidated SROs are issued periodically as a routine matter. Similar SROs have been issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the past, as per statutory requirements to meet our international obligations. The last such SROs were issued in 2019, the Foreign Office said. The Paris-based FATF put Pakistan on the grey list in June 2018 and asked Islamabad to implement a plan of action by the end of 2019, but the deadline was extended later due to COVID-19 pandemic. Though various sanctions were in place against almost all of those listed by the UNSC, the Pakistan government through the new notifications on Friday consolidated and documented the previously announced measures, Pakistani media reports said on Saturday. The UNSC Sanctions Committee deals with sanctions on entities and individuals declared as terrorists. All states, including Pakistan, are bound to implement the sanctions which include assets freeze, an arms embargo, and travel ban. It is believed that the latest move by the Pakistan government is part of its efforts to wriggle out of the grey list of the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog FATF. On August 12, Pakistan Parliament's lower house passed four bills related to the tough conditions set by the FATF after the government and the Opposition reached a consensus. The legislation was part of the efforts by Pakistan to move from the FATF's grey list to the white list. In its third and final plenary held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic in June, the FATF decided to keep Pakistan in the "grey list" as Islamabad failed to check the flow of money to terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The plenary was held under the Chinese Presidency of Xiangmin Liu. With Pakistan's continuation in the 'grey list', it will be difficult for the country to get financial aid from the IMF, World Bank, ADB, and the European Union, thus further enhancing problems for the nation which is in a precarious financial situation. If Pakistan fails to comply with the FATF directive by October, there is every possibility that the global body may put the country in the 'Black List' along with North Korea and Iran. The FATF is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system. The FATF currently has 39 members including two regional organisations - the European Commission and Gulf Cooperation Council.

Pakistan confirms putting Dawood Ibrahim's name in new terror sanctions

Seeking to wriggle out of the FATF's grey list, Pakistan has imposed tough financial sanctions on 88 banned terror groups and their leaders, including Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar and Dawood Ibrahim, by ordering the seizure of all of their properties and freezing of bank accounts, a media report said on Saturday.

The orders, which were made public late on Friday, identified dozens of individuals, including the Taliban's chief peace negotiator Abdul Ghani Baradar and several members of the Haqqani family, including Sirajuddin, the current head of the Haqqani network and deputy head of the Taliban.

The list of sanctioned groups included others besides the Taliban and were in keeping with a five-year-old United Nations resolution sanctioning the Afghan group and freezing their assets.

The Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) had&nbsp;put Pakistan on the "grey list" in June 2018 and asked Islamabad to implement a plan of action by the end of 2019, but the deadline was extended later due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-to-remain-on-the-fatf-grey-list-281389">Pakistan to remain on FATF grey list, relieved from additional sanctions</a>

Ibrahim, who heads a vast and multifaceted illegal business, has emerged as India's most wanted terrorist after the 1993 Mumbai bombings.

The Pakistan government has proscribed 88 leaders and members of terrorist groups, in compliance with the new list issued by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) recently.

The notifications announced sanctions on key figures of terror outfits such as the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), JeM, Taliban, Daesh, Haqqani Group, al-Qaeda, and others.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/in-major-shift-china-sends-stern-message-to-pakistan-on-fatf-281730">In major shift, China sends stern message to Pakistan on FATF</a>

The government ordered the seizure of all movable and immovable properties of these outfits and individuals, and freezing of their bank accounts, the report said.

These terrorists have been barred from transferring money through financial institutions, purchasing of arms and travelling abroad, it said.

The notifications ratified a complete ban on all leaders and members of defunct Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hiding in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border areas.

Many of Taliban leaders, including those heading the much-feared Haqqani network, have lived in Pakistan since the 1980s, when they were part of the Afghan mujahedeen and allies of the United States to end the 10-year invasion of Afghanistan by the former Soviet Union. It ended in February, 1989.

Pakistan has denied giving sanctuary to the Taliban following their ouster in 2001 by the US-led coalition but both Washington and Kabul routinely accused Islamabad of giving them a safe haven.

The UNSC Sanctions Committee deals with sanctions on entities and individuals declared as terrorists. All states, including Pakistan, are bound to implement the sanctions which include assets freeze, an arms embargo, and travel ban.

It is believed that the latest move by the Pakistan government is part of its efforts to wriggle out of the grey list of the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog FATF.

On August 12, Pakistan Parliament's lower house passed four bills related to the tough conditions set by the FATF after the government and the Opposition reached a consensus.

The legislation was part of the efforts by Pakistan to move from the FATF's grey list to the white list.

In its third and final plenary held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic in June, the FATF decided to keep Pakistan in the "grey list" as Islamabad failed to check the flow of money to terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The plenary was held under the Chinese Presidency of Xiangmin Liu.

With Pakistan's continuation in the 'grey list', it will be difficult for the country to get financial aid from the IMF, World Bank, ADB, and the European Union, thus further enhancing problems for the nation which is in a precarious financial situation.

If Pakistan fails to comply with the FATF directive by October, there is every possibility that the global body may put the country in the 'Black List' along with North Korea and Iran.

The FATF is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.

The FATF currently has 39 members including two regional organisations, the European Commission and Gulf Cooperation Council.&nbsp;

Seeking to wriggle out of the FATF's grey list, Pakistan has imposed tough financial sanctions on 88 banned terror groups and their leaders, including Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar and Dawood Ibrahim, by ordering the seizure of all of their properties and freezing of bank accounts, a media report said on Saturday.

Seeking to wriggle out of the FATF's grey list, Pakistan has imposed tough financial sanctions on 88 banned terror groups and their leaders, including Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar and Dawood Ibrahim, by ordering the seizure of all of their properties and freezing of bank accounts, a media report said on Saturday. The orders, which were made public late on Friday, identified dozens of individuals, including the Taliban's chief peace negotiator Abdul Ghani Baradar and several members of the Haqqani family, including Sirajuddin, the current head of the Haqqani network and deputy head of the Taliban. The list of sanctioned groups included others besides the Taliban and were in keeping with a five-year-old United Nations resolution sanctioning the Afghan group and freezing their assets. The Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) had put Pakistan on the "grey list" in June 2018 and asked Islamabad to implement a plan of action by the end of 2019, but the deadline was extended later due to COVID-19 pandemic. Also read: Pakistan to remain on FATF grey list, relieved from additional sanctions Ibrahim, who heads a vast and multifaceted illegal business, has emerged as India's most wanted terrorist after the 1993 Mumbai bombings. The Pakistan government has proscribed 88 leaders and members of terrorist groups, in compliance with the new list issued by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) recently. The notifications announced sanctions on key figures of terror outfits such as the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), JeM, Taliban, Daesh, Haqqani Group, al-Qaeda, and others. Also read: In major shift, China sends stern message to Pakistan on FATF The government ordered the seizure of all movable and immovable properties of these outfits and individuals, and freezing of their bank accounts, the report said. These terrorists have been barred from transferring money through financial institutions, purchasing of arms and travelling abroad, it said. The notifications ratified a complete ban on all leaders and members of defunct Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hiding in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border areas. Many of Taliban leaders, including those heading the much-feared Haqqani network, have lived in Pakistan since the 1980s, when they were part of the Afghan mujahedeen and allies of the United States to end the 10-year invasion of Afghanistan by the former Soviet Union. It ended in February, 1989. Pakistan has denied giving sanctuary to the Taliban following their ouster in 2001 by the US-led coalition but both Washington and Kabul routinely accused Islamabad of giving them a safe haven. The UNSC Sanctions Committee deals with sanctions on entities and individuals declared as terrorists. All states, including Pakistan, are bound to implement the sanctions which include assets freeze, an arms embargo, and travel ban. It is believed that the latest move by the Pakistan government is part of its efforts to wriggle out of the grey list of the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog FATF. On August 12, Pakistan Parliament's lower house passed four bills related to the tough conditions set by the FATF after the government and the Opposition reached a consensus. The legislation was part of the efforts by Pakistan to move from the FATF's grey list to the white list. In its third and final plenary held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic in June, the FATF decided to keep Pakistan in the "grey list" as Islamabad failed to check the flow of money to terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The plenary was held under the Chinese Presidency of Xiangmin Liu. With Pakistan's continuation in the 'grey list', it will be difficult for the country to get financial aid from the IMF, World Bank, ADB, and the European Union, thus further enhancing problems for the nation which is in a precarious financial situation. If Pakistan fails to comply with the FATF directive by October, there is every possibility that the global body may put the country in the 'Black List' along with North Korea and Iran. The FATF is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system. The FATF currently has 39 members including two regional organisations, the European Commission and Gulf Cooperation Council.

Pak targets Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar & Dawood Ibrahim; increases curbs on terror groups to avoid FATF blacklist

The Pakistan government on Wednesday managed to get two Financial Action Task Force (FATF) related bills passed by the National Assembly despite disruption in the House due to vociferous protest by the Opposition parties.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan moved the Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2020 and the United Nations (Security Council) (Amendment) Bill, 2020.

As the clause by clause voting started, the opposition lawmakers stood up to create pandemonium, forcing the speaker to suspend the proceedings thrice.

The protest was in reaction to a speech by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday in which he said that the Opposition was not supporting the bills as the government refused to soften the anti-graft laws.

However, the government went ahead undaunted ignoring protest and succeeded to get the bills passed.

Through the Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2020, the government suggested strict punishment and heavy fines for anyone supporting or facilitating any terrorism related activity.

The second bill would empower the government to direct authorities in Pakistan to implement various measures, in the Security Council resolutions including the freezing and seizure of assets, travel ban and arms embargo on the entities and individuals, who are designated on the sanctions list of the United Nations.

The UN Security Council Resolution 1373 made it incumbent on the member states to implement counter terrorism measures, especially countering the financing of terrorism through their domestic laws.

The legislation was part of efforts by Pakistan to move from the Financial Action Task Force's grey list to the white list.

Paris-based FATF put Pakistan on the grey list in June 2018 and asked Islamabad to implement a plan of action by the end of 2019 but the deadline was extended later on due to COVID-19.

The two bills will now be taken up by the Senate which is dominated by the opposition.

In case the bills are rejected, the government would call a joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate and try to get through the bills by simple majority.

Official sources said that due to the fear of rejection of the bills in the Senate, the government had already decided to call the joint sitting on Thursday.

The government and opposition representatives met on Monday to forge consensus but no headway was made.

Later, Qureshi said that the opposition wanted a bargain to get amendment in the anti-corruption laws to support the FATF related legislation.

The allegation was rejected by the opposition and its Pakistan Muslims League-Nawaz leader Khawaja Asif said that Qureshi misled the house on the issue.

The government has prepared eight bills for legislation on anti-money laundering and terror financing with a view for Pakistan to move from the FATF's grey list to the white list.

In its third and final plenary held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic in June, the FATF decided to keep Pakistan in the "grey list" as Islamabad failed to check flow of money to terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

The plenary was held under the Chinese Presidency of Xiangmin Liu.

With Pakistan's continuation in the 'grey list', it will be difficult for the country to get financial aid from the IMF, World Bank, ADB and the European Union, thus further enhancing problems for the nation which is in a precarious financial situation.

If Pakistan fails to comply with the FATF directive by October, there is every possibility that the global body may put the country in the 'Black List' along with North Korea and Iran.

The FATF is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.

The FATF currently has 39 members including two regional organisations -- the European Commission and Gulf Cooperation Council. 
&nbsp;

The Pakistan government on Wednesday managed to get two Financial Action Task Force (FATF) related bills passed by the National Assembly despite disruption in the House due to vociferous protest by the Opposition parties.

The Pakistan government on Wednesday managed to get two Financial Action Task Force (FATF) related bills passed by the National Assembly despite disruption in the House due to vociferous protest by the Opposition parties. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan moved the Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2020 and the United Nations (Security Council) (Amendment) Bill, 2020. As the clause by clause voting started, the opposition lawmakers stood up to create pandemonium, forcing the speaker to suspend the proceedings thrice. The protest was in reaction to a speech by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday in which he said that the Opposition was not supporting the bills as the government refused to soften the anti-graft laws. However, the government went ahead undaunted ignoring protest and succeeded to get the bills passed. Through the Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2020, the government suggested strict punishment and heavy fines for anyone supporting or facilitating any terrorism related activity. The second bill would empower the government to direct authorities in Pakistan to implement various measures, in the Security Council resolutions including the freezing and seizure of assets, travel ban and arms embargo on the entities and individuals, who are designated on the sanctions list of the United Nations. The UN Security Council Resolution 1373 made it incumbent on the member states to implement counter terrorism measures, especially countering the financing of terrorism through their domestic laws. The legislation was part of efforts by Pakistan to move from the Financial Action Task Force's grey list to the white list. Paris-based FATF put Pakistan on the grey list in June 2018 and asked Islamabad to implement a plan of action by the end of 2019 but the deadline was extended later on due to COVID-19. The two bills will now be taken up by the Senate which is dominated by the opposition. In case the bills are rejected, the government would call a joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate and try to get through the bills by simple majority. Official sources said that due to the fear of rejection of the bills in the Senate, the government had already decided to call the joint sitting on Thursday. The government and opposition representatives met on Monday to forge consensus but no headway was made. Later, Qureshi said that the opposition wanted a bargain to get amendment in the anti-corruption laws to support the FATF related legislation. The allegation was rejected by the opposition and its Pakistan Muslims League-Nawaz leader Khawaja Asif said that Qureshi misled the house on the issue. The government has prepared eight bills for legislation on anti-money laundering and terror financing with a view for Pakistan to move from the FATF's grey list to the white list. In its third and final plenary held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic in June, the FATF decided to keep Pakistan in the "grey list" as Islamabad failed to check flow of money to terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The plenary was held under the Chinese Presidency of Xiangmin Liu. With Pakistan's continuation in the 'grey list', it will be difficult for the country to get financial aid from the IMF, World Bank, ADB and the European Union, thus further enhancing problems for the nation which is in a precarious financial situation. If Pakistan fails to comply with the FATF directive by October, there is every possibility that the global body may put the country in the 'Black List' along with North Korea and Iran. The FATF is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system. The FATF currently has 39 members including two regional organisations -- the European Commission and Gulf Cooperation Council.

Pakistan govt gets two FATF-related bills passed through National Assembly amid opposition protest

Pakistan on Friday rejected as "fabricated news" the reports in the media about its continuation on the FATF's Grey List, saying no "new decision" was taken about it at the virtual plenary of the global terror financing watchdog.

The Foreign Office was responding to reports in the media that the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) decided in its final plenary on Wednesday to keep Pakistan on the Grey List as it had failed to check flow of money to terror groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-to-remain-in-fatfs-terror-financing-grey-list-report-308408">Also read|&nbsp;Pakistan to remain in FATF's terror financing 'grey list': Report</a>

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said on Thursday that Pakistan's continuation on the Grey List of the FATF vindicated India's position that the country had not taken any appropriate action against terror networks operating from its soil.

Reacting to MEA's remarks, the Pakistan Foreign Office said the Indian official was responding to the "fabricated news reports in the Indian media".

It said in a statement that Pakistan was prepared to present its progress report to the FATF in the plenary meeting scheduled for this month.

<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:&nbsp;says US report</a>

However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the FATF decided on April 28 a general pause for four months in the review process for a number of countries, including Pakistan, under the ICRG (International Cooperation Review Group) assessment, the statement said.

The agenda of the FATF's virtual plenary meeting, held on June 24, did not include Pakistan, the Foreign Office (FO) said.

"In this virtual plenary meeting, no new decision regarding Pakistan was made," it said.

The decisions taken by the FATF in the February 2020 plenary meeting regarding a number of countries including Pakistan remain in effect and the evaluation of Pakistan's FATF Action Plan would be made in the next plenary cycle of FATF, in which Pakistan would present its progress report, the FO said.

Reports in the Indian media insinuating that the FATF has put Pakistan on the Grey List are "patently misleading" and part of the incessant "smear campaign" by India against Pakistan, it said.

Pakistan repeatedly drew the attention of the international community towards India's "sinister" attempts to use the FATF process for its narrow political gains, the FO said.

"Pakistan has also been raising the issue of India's dubious credentials as an impartial and objective assessor of Pakistan's progress on the FATF Action Plan," it said.

India's efforts to "misuse" the technical forum of FATF for discrediting Pakistan have been noticed by FATF members and are not appreciated by the international community, the Foreign Office said.

"We hope that the FATF membership would take cognisance of India's malicious campaign against Pakistan and reject any attempt at politicising the FATF proceedings," it said, adding that Pakistan was committed to completing its FATF Action Plan and making progress.

The Foreign Office also said that Pakistan completely rejects the MEA spokesperson's terrorism-related allegations against Pakistan.

Paris-based FATF put Pakistan on the grey list in June 2018 and the country agreed to work on an action plan to fulfill its obligation by October 2019. Later, this date was extended until February 2020.

Pakistan on Friday rejected as "fabricated news" the reports in the media about its continuation on the FATF's Grey List, saying no "new decision" was taken about it at the virtual plenary of the global terror financing watchdog.

Pakistan on Friday rejected as "fabricated news" the reports in the media about its continuation on the FATF's Grey List, saying no "new decision" was taken about it at the virtual plenary of the global terror financing watchdog. The Foreign Office was responding to reports in the media that the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) decided in its final plenary on Wednesday to keep Pakistan on the Grey List as it had failed to check flow of money to terror groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Also read| Pakistan to remain in FATF's terror financing 'grey list': Report Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said on Thursday that Pakistan's continuation on the Grey List of the FATF vindicated India's position that the country had not taken any appropriate action against terror networks operating from its soil. Reacting to MEA's remarks, the Pakistan Foreign Office said the Indian official was responding to the "fabricated news reports in the Indian media". It said in a statement that Pakistan was prepared to present its progress report to the FATF in the plenary meeting scheduled for this month. Also Read| Pakistan continues to serve as safe haven for regionally-focused terrorist groups: says US report However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the FATF decided on April 28 a general pause for four months in the review process for a number of countries, including Pakistan, under the ICRG (International Cooperation Review Group) assessment, the statement said. The agenda of the FATF's virtual plenary meeting, held on June 24, did not include Pakistan, the Foreign Office (FO) said. "In this virtual plenary meeting, no new decision regarding Pakistan was made," it said. The decisions taken by the FATF in the February 2020 plenary meeting regarding a number of countries including Pakistan remain in effect and the evaluation of Pakistan's FATF Action Plan would be made in the next plenary cycle of FATF, in which Pakistan would present its progress report, the FO said. Reports in the Indian media insinuating that the FATF has put Pakistan on the Grey List are "patently misleading" and part of the incessant "smear campaign" by India against Pakistan, it said. Pakistan repeatedly drew the attention of the international community towards India's "sinister" attempts to use the FATF process for its narrow political gains, the FO said. "Pakistan has also been raising the issue of India's dubious credentials as an impartial and objective assessor of Pakistan's progress on the FATF Action Plan," it said. India's efforts to "misuse" the technical forum of FATF for discrediting Pakistan have been noticed by FATF members and are not appreciated by the international community, the Foreign Office said. "We hope that the FATF membership would take cognisance of India's malicious campaign against Pakistan and reject any attempt at politicising the FATF proceedings," it said, adding that Pakistan was committed to completing its FATF Action Plan and making progress. The Foreign Office also said that Pakistan completely rejects the MEA spokesperson's terrorism-related allegations against Pakistan. Paris-based FATF put Pakistan on the grey list in June 2018 and the country agreed to work on an action plan to fulfill its obligation by October 2019. Later, this date was extended until February 2020.

Pak rejects reports on its FATF Grey List, says 'no decision' taken at plenary

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's government has decided to delete nearly 4,000 names from its terror watch list to change its image in front of the United Nations Security Council.&nbsp;

A total of 130 names from the &nbsp;UNSC 1267 Sanctions List are from Pakistan, whereas the country has acknowledged only 19 of them including the Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed. Pak government has asked to delist six terrorists.&nbsp;

The government has blamed the UN panel for they could not take action against individuals under UNSC sanction as it had provided 'insufficient information'. Islamabad blamed this while a UNSC monitoring committee team had come for a visit.&nbsp;

The 'insufficient information' explanation for deleting 3,800 names from domestic terror watch-list was similar when the UNSC team arrived for a five-day visit.&nbsp;

In October 2018, Pakistan showed off the same list to the FATF to escape being grey-listed. The list then had 7,600 names to it.&nbsp;

The deletion of names was first noticed by a New-York based tech firm, Castellum AI, it tracks global terror watch list. They said that few names were deleted after October 2018. About 1,069 names were deleted between March 9 to 27 and another 800 were deleted on March 27.

The deletion of the names is seen as desperation to stay out of FATF blacklist as they currently are on the grey list for terror financing. The FATF review meeting for Pakistan has been postponed for four months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's government has decided to delete nearly 4,000 names from its terror watch list to change its image in front of the United Nations Security Council.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's government has decided to delete nearly 4,000 names from its terror watch list to change its image in front of the United Nations Security Council. A total of 130 names from the UNSC 1267 Sanctions List are from Pakistan, whereas the country has acknowledged only 19 of them including the Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed. Pak government has asked to delist six terrorists. The government has blamed the UN panel for they could not take action against individuals under UNSC sanction as it had provided 'insufficient information'. Islamabad blamed this while a UNSC monitoring committee team had come for a visit. The 'insufficient information' explanation for deleting 3,800 names from domestic terror watch-list was similar when the UNSC team arrived for a five-day visit. In October 2018, Pakistan showed off the same list to the FATF to escape being grey-listed. The list then had 7,600 names to it. The deletion of names was first noticed by a New-York based tech firm, Castellum AI, it tracks global terror watch list. They said that few names were deleted after October 2018. About 1,069 names were deleted between March 9 to 27 and another 800 were deleted on March 27. The deletion of the names is seen as desperation to stay out of FATF blacklist as they currently are on the grey list for terror financing. The FATF review meeting for Pakistan has been postponed for four months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

'Insufficient information': Pakistan deletes nearly 4,000 terrorists names

By: Anshu Dubey 
 
A New York-based regulatory technology company Castellum.AI released a detailed study report earlier this week that mentioned how Pakistan has removed names of thousands of terrorists from its watch list.&nbsp;

According to the report, the list that had 7600 names in 2018, has been reduced to fewer than 3800 names in the past 18 months. The removed names include that of 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind and LeT operations commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi. About 1,800 of the names have been removed since the beginning of March, according to the data collected by Castellum. 
&nbsp; 
Due to Pakistan’s long association with terrorist groups and terror&nbsp;financing besides fomenting terrorism in India and other parts of the world, it has been placed on the “grey list" of the FATF. Pakistan is working to implement an action plan that has been mutually agreed to with The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), towards which the next evaluation of Pakistan’s progress is scheduled to take place in June 2020.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
In an exclusive chat with former senior policy adviser for the U.S. Treasury and CEO of Castellum.AI, Peter Piatetsky; WION posed some straight questions to the body and research report where he mentioned “International standards call for transparency in the listing and de-listing process regarding both United Nations and domestic sanctions,” when asked if Pakistan holds the rights to independently remove names from the list.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Here are the excerpts from the interview:&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
WION: Does Pakistan have the rights to independently or rather covertly remove names of terrorists many of who are wanted internationally as well? 
&nbsp; 
Peter: International standards call for transparency in the listing and delisting process regarding both the United Nations and domestic sanctions. Adding a name to a terrorist watchlist typically means that a person's finances, travel and ability to be part of society are severely restricted. This is to ensure that no one is placed on the list without sufficient reason and that if someone is delisted, there is proof that the listee is no longer engaged in malign activities. 
&nbsp; 
WION: Pak sources in NACTA say that Zaki Ur Rehman Lakhvi involved in Mumbai attacks is already in the UN list and hence it does not matter taking him off the proscribed list. 
&nbsp; 
Peter: Counter terrorist financing has to be enforced at the domestic level to achieve results. Often, domestic lists or domestic implementation of United Nations sanctions is more important than a name simply being on the United Nations list. Banks enforcing sanctions typically looking at a domestic list first, and at United Nations sanctions later, if at all. 
&nbsp; 
WION: Do you see a design by Pakistan in taking such a large number off the list, what is your sense when you went through these and so many names? 
&nbsp; 
Peter: Pakistan is likely modifying its lists to improve them and comply with international standards from the Financial Action Task Force. Any improvements to the listing process are welcome, but as noted in our report, we recommend providing public explanations and adding dates of birth, place of birth and additional identifiers that will help the public and private sector identify the exact identities of those listed and better understand what it means to be Denotified.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
WION: Is this an internationally illegitimate act and can/ will world bodies take this up? Your understanding of this? 
&nbsp; 
Peter: This will likely raise significant questions at the FATF about how names are listed and delisted, which is related to FATF Recommendation 6, Targeted Financial Sanctions Related to Terrorism and Terrorist Financing. Pakistan has largely addressed 14 of 27 FATF action items, and if it adds more transparency around its listing and delisting process, this will likely improve Pakistan's prospects. We note in our report that the Proscribed person list is better than many worldwide. It is machine-readable, it is available in multiple formats, it separates first names and last names, IDs and addresses, specifies the ID type, and clarifies that all names on this list are individuals, not a mix of individuals and entities. These are all important factors in providing a terrorist watchlist that is useful to the public and private sectors.

By: Anshu Dubey A New York-based regulatory technology company Castellum.AI released a detailed study report earlier this week that mentioned how Pakistan has removed names of thousands of terrorists from its watch list.

By: Anshu Dubey A New York-based regulatory technology company Castellum.AI released a detailed study report earlier this week that mentioned how Pakistan has removed names of thousands of terrorists from its watch list. According to the report, the list that had 7600 names in 2018, has been reduced to fewer than 3800 names in the past 18 months. The removed names include that of 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind and LeT operations commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi. About 1,800 of the names have been removed since the beginning of March, according to the data collected by Castellum. Due to Pakistan’s long association with terrorist groups and terror financing besides fomenting terrorism in India and other parts of the world, it has been placed on the “grey list" of the FATF. Pakistan is working to implement an action plan that has been mutually agreed to with The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), towards which the next evaluation of Pakistan’s progress is scheduled to take place in June 2020. In an exclusive chat with former senior policy adviser for the U.S. Treasury and CEO of Castellum.AI, Peter Piatetsky; WION posed some straight questions to the body and research report where he mentioned “International standards call for transparency in the listing and de-listing process regarding both United Nations and domestic sanctions,” when asked if Pakistan holds the rights to independently remove names from the list. Here are the excerpts from the interview: WION: Does Pakistan have the rights to independently or rather covertly remove names of terrorists many of who are wanted internationally as well? Peter: International standards call for transparency in the listing and delisting process regarding both the United Nations and domestic sanctions. Adding a name to a terrorist watchlist typically means that a person's finances, travel and ability to be part of society are severely restricted. This is to ensure that no one is placed on the list without sufficient reason and that if someone is delisted, there is proof that the listee is no longer engaged in malign activities. WION: Pak sources in NACTA say that Zaki Ur Rehman Lakhvi involved in Mumbai attacks is already in the UN list and hence it does not matter taking him off the proscribed list. Peter: Counter terrorist financing has to be enforced at the domestic level to achieve results. Often, domestic lists or domestic implementation of United Nations sanctions is more important than a name simply being on the United Nations list. Banks enforcing sanctions typically looking at a domestic list first, and at United Nations sanctions later, if at all. WION: Do you see a design by Pakistan in taking such a large number off the list, what is your sense when you went through these and so many names? Peter: Pakistan is likely modifying its lists to improve them and comply with international standards from the Financial Action Task Force. Any improvements to the listing process are welcome, but as noted in our report, we recommend providing public explanations and adding dates of birth, place of birth and additional identifiers that will help the public and private sector identify the exact identities of those listed and better understand what it means to be Denotified. WION: Is this an internationally illegitimate act and can/ will world bodies take this up? Your understanding of this? Peter: This will likely raise significant questions at the FATF about how names are listed and delisted, which is related to FATF Recommendation 6, Targeted Financial Sanctions Related to Terrorism and Terrorist Financing. Pakistan has largely addressed 14 of 27 FATF action items, and if it adds more transparency around its listing and delisting process, this will likely improve Pakistan's prospects. We note in our report that the Proscribed person list is better than many worldwide. It is machine-readable, it is available in multiple formats, it separates first names and last names, IDs and addresses, specifies the ID type, and clarifies that all names on this list are individuals, not a mix of individuals and entities. These are all important factors in providing a terrorist watchlist that is useful to the public and private sectors.

International standards demand for transparency in listing & de-listing process: Peter Piatesky to WION

The coronavirus pandemic seems to be tailored to Pakistani instincts. It is silent, discreet and knows no borders.

As it quietly spreads to new territories, Pakistan, too is quietly upto something. Pakistan is rebranding <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-drops-nearly-4000-terrorists-names-from-its-watchlist-including-one-2611-mastermind-report-293762">terrorists</a>.

At least four thousand of them have "quietly" been removed from its watchlist. It also apparently includes one of the masterminds of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

A terror watchlist is maintained to help financial institutions. It helps them to avoid doing business with or process transactions to designated terrorists and terrorist organizations.

There are many in Pakistan in 2018, the list included 7,600 names but given the developments soon there will be none.

Thousands of terrorists will "officially" be free men in Pakistan including Zaki-ur-Rahman Lakhvi - the leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba and the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

The country is changing names of individuals in its official data, incorporating IDs that do not match and Pakistan is putting out reports that these terrorists are either missing or deceased.&nbsp;

The coronavirus pandemic seems to be tailored to Pakistani instincts. It is silent, discreet and knows no borders. As it quietly spreads to new territories, Pakistan, too is quietly upto something.

The coronavirus pandemic seems to be tailored to Pakistani instincts. It is silent, discreet and knows no borders. As it quietly spreads to new territories, Pakistan, too is quietly upto something. Pakistan is rebranding terrorists. At least four thousand of them have "quietly" been removed from its watchlist. It also apparently includes one of the masterminds of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. A terror watchlist is maintained to help financial institutions. It helps them to avoid doing business with or process transactions to designated terrorists and terrorist organizations. There are many in Pakistan in 2018, the list included 7,600 names but given the developments soon there will be none. Thousands of terrorists will "officially" be free men in Pakistan including Zaki-ur-Rahman Lakhvi - the leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba and the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The country is changing names of individuals in its official data, incorporating IDs that do not match and Pakistan is putting out reports that these terrorists are either missing or deceased.

How Pakistan is 'rebranding' terrorists

Iran blacklisted over failure to curb terror funding. According to FATF Iran failed to implement its action plans and there could be adverse consequences for Iran. On the other hand, Iran says that FATF was pressured by America.

Iran put on terror financing blacklist

The United Arab Emirates' central bank is investigating Pakistan's largest bank to ascertain if it violated anti-money- laundering and terrorism-financing laws, the regulator said on Wednesday.

The inquiry comes as Pakistan is under examination by a Paris unit of the Financial Action Task Force, a global financial watchdog, for not adequately complying with global regulations on money laundering and terrorism financing.

The FATF will decide this week whether to put Pakistan on a list of countries on non-compliant with global financial regulations, which would carry significant sanctions.

The Central Bank of UAE (CBAUE) said in a statement on Wednesday that it was in "close contact" with Pakistan's banking regulator to verify reported irregularities of a Pakistani bank in UAE.

A spokeswoman of the CBAUE confirmed to Reuters that the statement referred to Habib Bank Ltd (HBL), Pakistan's largest bank.

The bank, which is largely owned by the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development and Pakistan government, had total assets of 3.1 trillion Pakistani rupees ($20.1 billion) at the end of September 2019.

The statement by the UAE banking regulator added it "will take appropriate regulatory action once we have verified the findings reported in the media to confirm if there was any violation to UAE’s Anti-Money Laundering and Combat of Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) laws and procedures."

In a report last week, Bloomberg said that Pakistan's banking regulator in 2018 had found irregularities in HBL's UAE operations and dealings with politically exposed clients.

HBL responded to that report by admitting that a "few weaknesses" were identified in 2017 in its UAE operations that contravened its processes and standards.

"We have transformed our control and compliance process to ensure that they are in line with international standards," an HBL statement said.

The State Bank of Pakistan, the country's banking regulator, did not immediately respond to queries by Reuters on its communication with UAE's regulator.

HBL also faced action in the United States in 2017 when the New York State Department of Financial Services said it was seeking to fine HBL up to $630 million for "grave" compliance failures on anti-money laundering and sanctions rules. The bank agreed to pay $225 million to settle enforcement action. [D-REUTERSNEWS-T004/I15592cf0945b11e783dfe5c720cc2544]

In a filing to Pakistan Stock Exchange on Monday the bank said it would complete a "voluntary closure" of its U.S. operations in coordination with the New York State banking regulator on or before March 31.

(1 USD = 154 Pakistani rupees) 
 
&nbsp;

The United Arab Emirates' central bank is investigating Pakistan's largest bank to ascertain if it violated anti-money- laundering and terrorism-financing laws, the regulator said on Wednesday.

The United Arab Emirates' central bank is investigating Pakistan's largest bank to ascertain if it violated anti-money- laundering and terrorism-financing laws, the regulator said on Wednesday. The inquiry comes as Pakistan is under examination by a Paris unit of the Financial Action Task Force, a global financial watchdog, for not adequately complying with global regulations on money laundering and terrorism financing. The FATF will decide this week whether to put Pakistan on a list of countries on non-compliant with global financial regulations, which would carry significant sanctions. The Central Bank of UAE (CBAUE) said in a statement on Wednesday that it was in "close contact" with Pakistan's banking regulator to verify reported irregularities of a Pakistani bank in UAE. A spokeswoman of the CBAUE confirmed to Reuters that the statement referred to Habib Bank Ltd (HBL), Pakistan's largest bank. The bank, which is largely owned by the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development and Pakistan government, had total assets of 3.1 trillion Pakistani rupees ($20.1 billion) at the end of September 2019. The statement by the UAE banking regulator added it "will take appropriate regulatory action once we have verified the findings reported in the media to confirm if there was any violation to UAE’s Anti-Money Laundering and Combat of Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) laws and procedures." In a report last week, Bloomberg said that Pakistan's banking regulator in 2018 had found irregularities in HBL's UAE operations and dealings with politically exposed clients. HBL responded to that report by admitting that a "few weaknesses" were identified in 2017 in its UAE operations that contravened its processes and standards. "We have transformed our control and compliance process to ensure that they are in line with international standards," an HBL statement said. The State Bank of Pakistan, the country's banking regulator, did not immediately respond to queries by Reuters on its communication with UAE's regulator. HBL also faced action in the United States in 2017 when the New York State Department of Financial Services said it was seeking to fine HBL up to $630 million for "grave" compliance failures on anti-money laundering and sanctions rules. The bank agreed to pay $225 million to settle enforcement action. [D-REUTERSNEWS-T004/I15592cf0945b11e783dfe5c720cc2544] In a filing to Pakistan Stock Exchange on Monday the bank said it would complete a "voluntary closure" of its U.S. operations in coordination with the New York State banking regulator on or before March 31. (1 USD = 154 Pakistani rupees)

UAE regulator to investigate Pakistan bank for money laundering

Pakistan has been given four months to act against terror financing. The FATF has warned the Imran Khan government of stern action if it fails to curb the flow of money to terror groups. Wion's Palki gets you the details of what happened at the FATF meeting.

Gravitas: Pakistan to remain on the FATF grey list

Pakistan has until June to improve its counter-terror financing operations in line with an internationally agreed action plan or face actions against it, a global watchdog said on Friday.

"The FATF strongly urges Pakistan to swiftly complete its full action plan by June 2020," the Financial Action Task Force said in a statement after a meeting in Paris.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/in-major-shift-china-sends-stern-message-to-pakistan-on-fatf-281730">In major shift, China sends stern message to Pakistan on FATF</a>

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"Otherwise, should significant and sustainable progress especially in prosecuting and penalising TF not be made by the next Plenary, the FATF will take action," it added.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-response-to-fatf-does-not-mention-dawood-ibrahim-281510">Pakistan does not mention Dawood Ibrahim in its response to FATF</a>

It said such action could include calling on its members to order their financial institutions give particularly rigorous attention to business relations and transactions with Pakistani clients.

Pakistan has until June to improve its counter-terror financing operations in line with an internationally agreed action plan or face actions against it, a global watchdog said on Friday.

Pakistan has until June to improve its counter-terror financing operations in line with an internationally agreed action plan or face actions against it, a global watchdog said on Friday. "The FATF strongly urges Pakistan to swiftly complete its full action plan by June 2020," the Financial Action Task Force said in a statement after a meeting in Paris. Also read: In major shift, China sends stern message to Pakistan on FATF × "Otherwise, should significant and sustainable progress especially in prosecuting and penalising TF not be made by the next Plenary, the FATF will take action," it added. Also read: Pakistan does not mention Dawood Ibrahim in its response to FATF It said such action could include calling on its members to order their financial institutions give particularly rigorous attention to business relations and transactions with Pakistani clients.

Global watchdog FATF keeps Pakistan on terrorism financing 'grey list'

The global dirty money watchdog placed<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-votes-in-general-election-marred-by-disqualifications-282018"> Iran</a> on its blacklist on Friday after it failed to comply with international anti-terrorism financing norms, a move that will deepen the country's isolation from financial markets.

The decision came after more than three years of warnings from the Paris-based Financial Action Taskforce (FATF) urging the Islamic Republic to either enact terrorist financing conventions or see its reprieve from the blacklist lifted and some counter-measures imposed.

"Given Iran's failure to enact the Palermo and Terrorist Financing Conventions in line with the FATF Standards, the FATF fully lifts the suspension of counter-measures and calls on its members and urges all jurisdictions to apply effective counter-measures," the group's 39 members said in a statement after a week-long plenary session.

These would entail more scrutiny of transactions with Iran, tougher external auditing of financing firms operating in the country and extra pressure on the few foreign banks and businesses still dealing with Iran.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-confirms-two-more-deaths-among-13-new-coronavirus-cases-282011">Also read: Iran confirms two more deaths among 13 new coronavirus cases</a>

"The consequence of (Iran's) inaction is higher costs of borrowing and isolation from the financial system," a Western diplomat told Reuters.

However, the FATF appeared to leave the door open for some engagement with Iran saying in its statement,&nbsp;"Countries should also be able to apply countermeasures independently of any call by the FATF to do so."

"It's a middle solution. A sort of fudge to leave the door open for the Iranians," said one of the diplomats.

Foreign businesses say Iran's compliance with FATF rules is essential if it wants to attract investors, especially since the United States reimposed sanctions on Tehran in 2018 after quitting a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and other big powers.

Iran's leaders have been divided over the approach to the FATF.

Supporters of cooperation say it could ease foreign trade with Europe and Asia, offsetting US sanctions. Hardliners argue that passing legislation to join the FATF could hamper Iran's support for its allies, including Lebanon's Hezbollah.

Maximum pressure

Washington has since pushed a policy of "maximum pressure" on Iran, saying a broader deal should be negotiated to encompass nuclear issues, Iran's ballistic missile programme and Iranian support for proxy forces around the Middle East.

France, Britain and Germany have tried to salvage the nuclear accord but have faced growing pressure from the United States to join its efforts to isolate Iran.

"The United States was pushing for the toughest position (by FATF), while other countries like China and Russia preferred something more flexible," said a European official. "The Europeans were looking for something in between."

US sanctions have crippled Iran's economy, decimating its oil exports and largely sealing it off from the international financial system.

"Until Iran implements the measures required to address the deficiencies identified with respect to countering terrorism-financing..., the FATF will remain concerned with the terrorist financing risk emanating from Iran and the threat this poses to the international financial system," the FATF said.

Iran's action plan to meet with the FATF requirements, implemented in 2016, expired in January 2018.

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif this week appeared resigned to the FATF blacklisting, accusing Washington of using its maximum pressure campaign to exert influence at the FATF.

In another important decision on Friday, the FATF granted Pakistan an extra four months to meet anti-terrorism financing norms, keeping Islamabad for now on its "grey list" of countries that do not adequately comply with its rules.

The global dirty money watchdog placed Iran on its blacklist on Friday after it failed to comply with international anti-terrorism financing norms, a move that will deepen the country's isolation from financial markets.

The global dirty money watchdog placed Iran on its blacklist on Friday after it failed to comply with international anti-terrorism financing norms, a move that will deepen the country's isolation from financial markets. The decision came after more than three years of warnings from the Paris-based Financial Action Taskforce (FATF) urging the Islamic Republic to either enact terrorist financing conventions or see its reprieve from the blacklist lifted and some counter-measures imposed. "Given Iran's failure to enact the Palermo and Terrorist Financing Conventions in line with the FATF Standards, the FATF fully lifts the suspension of counter-measures and calls on its members and urges all jurisdictions to apply effective counter-measures," the group's 39 members said in a statement after a week-long plenary session. These would entail more scrutiny of transactions with Iran, tougher external auditing of financing firms operating in the country and extra pressure on the few foreign banks and businesses still dealing with Iran. Also read: Iran confirms two more deaths among 13 new coronavirus cases "The consequence of (Iran's) inaction is higher costs of borrowing and isolation from the financial system," a Western diplomat told Reuters. However, the FATF appeared to leave the door open for some engagement with Iran saying in its statement, "Countries should also be able to apply countermeasures independently of any call by the FATF to do so." "It's a middle solution. A sort of fudge to leave the door open for the Iranians," said one of the diplomats. Foreign businesses say Iran's compliance with FATF rules is essential if it wants to attract investors, especially since the United States reimposed sanctions on Tehran in 2018 after quitting a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and other big powers. Iran's leaders have been divided over the approach to the FATF. Supporters of cooperation say it could ease foreign trade with Europe and Asia, offsetting US sanctions. Hardliners argue that passing legislation to join the FATF could hamper Iran's support for its allies, including Lebanon's Hezbollah. Maximum pressure Washington has since pushed a policy of "maximum pressure" on Iran, saying a broader deal should be negotiated to encompass nuclear issues, Iran's ballistic missile programme and Iranian support for proxy forces around the Middle East. France, Britain and Germany have tried to salvage the nuclear accord but have faced growing pressure from the United States to join its efforts to isolate Iran. "The United States was pushing for the toughest position (by FATF), while other countries like China and Russia preferred something more flexible," said a European official. "The Europeans were looking for something in between." US sanctions have crippled Iran's economy, decimating its oil exports and largely sealing it off from the international financial system. "Until Iran implements the measures required to address the deficiencies identified with respect to countering terrorism-financing..., the FATF will remain concerned with the terrorist financing risk emanating from Iran and the threat this poses to the international financial system," the FATF said. Iran's action plan to meet with the FATF requirements, implemented in 2016, expired in January 2018. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif this week appeared resigned to the FATF blacklisting, accusing Washington of using its maximum pressure campaign to exert influence at the FATF. In another important decision on Friday, the FATF granted Pakistan an extra four months to meet anti-terrorism financing norms, keeping Islamabad for now on its "grey list" of countries that do not adequately comply with its rules.

Global watchdog places Iran on terrorism financing blacklist

Pakistan continues to be on the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) grey list on terror funding. This is after Pakistan failed to fulfil the commitment to curb terror funding. FATF has asked Pakistan to implement an action plan by June.

WION Dispatch: Pak to remain on FATF's Grey list; Fails to implement 13/27 points

Pakistan hopes to secure a four-month reprieve at a global meeting on anti-terrorism financing in Paris on Friday where a decision whether or not to blacklist the South Asian nation is expected, officials and analysts said.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/in-major-shift-china-sends-stern-message-to-pakistan-on-fatf-281730">Financial Action Task Force</a> (FATF) has to date kept Pakistan off its blacklist but warned late last year that Islamabad could face international action if it failed to do more to combat terrorism financing.

But Pakistan, which has avoided punishment so far thanks to support from major ally China, now seems more confident it will keep clear of the blacklist after securing backing from other friendly countries including Malaysia and Turkey.

A minimum of three votes by FATF member states are required for a country to escape FATF blacklisting.

Pakistani Finance Ministry adviser Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has "thanked the Chinese government for their massive support in the FATF meetings," a ministry statement said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-response-to-fatf-does-not-mention-dawood-ibrahim-281510">Also read: Pakistan does not mention Dawood Ibrahim in its response to FATF</a>

"China and other brotherly countries have supported Pakistan throughout the process in terms of guiding the country to improve its frameworks."

Finance Ministry and counter-terrorism officials say Pakistan has done much under pressure to comply with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-to-remain-on-the-fatf-grey-list-281389">FATF's 27-point agenda</a>, which included an unprecedented conviction for terrorism financing of Hafiz Saeed, chief of the Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) Islamist militant group.

"You know there are two aspects which we have to deal with at this forum. One is technical and the other political," a senior finance ministry official told Reuters. "We have covered both and we expect that we will secure more concessions."

The official said Pakistan was likely to secure another four-month grace period to fulfil the FATF agenda.

"I don't see any adverse results coming out of the meeting," Pakistan's former finance czar Waqar Masood told Reuters.

If blacklisted alongside Iran and North Korea, Pakistan would face a serious financial hit at a time when its economy is confronting a balance of payment crisis.

The most crucial aspect of compliance with FATF in Pakistan's case would be steps to effectively prevent militant groups from openly operating and raising funds, as the LeT has done from Islamic charities.

The FATF has pushed Pakistan to adequately identify, assess and understand risks associated with jihadist groups present in the country such as LeT, Islamic State, al Qaeda, Jamat-ud-Dawa and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).

Pakistan has long been accused of nurturing and supporting militant groups like the LeT for use as proxies to project power in the South Asian region particularly in Afghanistan and India. Islamabad denies such accusations.

In 2018 the FATF placed Pakistan on a so-called "grey list" of countries with inadequate controls over terrorism financing.

Pakistan hopes to secure a four-month reprieve at a global meeting on anti-terrorism financing in Paris on Friday where a decision whether or not to blacklist the South Asian nation is expected, officials and analysts said.

Pakistan hopes to secure a four-month reprieve at a global meeting on anti-terrorism financing in Paris on Friday where a decision whether or not to blacklist the South Asian nation is expected, officials and analysts said. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has to date kept Pakistan off its blacklist but warned late last year that Islamabad could face international action if it failed to do more to combat terrorism financing. But Pakistan, which has avoided punishment so far thanks to support from major ally China, now seems more confident it will keep clear of the blacklist after securing backing from other friendly countries including Malaysia and Turkey. A minimum of three votes by FATF member states are required for a country to escape FATF blacklisting. Pakistani Finance Ministry adviser Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has "thanked the Chinese government for their massive support in the FATF meetings," a ministry statement said. Also read: Pakistan does not mention Dawood Ibrahim in its response to FATF "China and other brotherly countries have supported Pakistan throughout the process in terms of guiding the country to improve its frameworks." Finance Ministry and counter-terrorism officials say Pakistan has done much under pressure to comply with FATF's 27-point agenda, which included an unprecedented conviction for terrorism financing of Hafiz Saeed, chief of the Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) Islamist militant group. "You know there are two aspects which we have to deal with at this forum. One is technical and the other political," a senior finance ministry official told Reuters. "We have covered both and we expect that we will secure more concessions." The official said Pakistan was likely to secure another four-month grace period to fulfil the FATF agenda. "I don't see any adverse results coming out of the meeting," Pakistan's former finance czar Waqar Masood told Reuters. If blacklisted alongside Iran and North Korea, Pakistan would face a serious financial hit at a time when its economy is confronting a balance of payment crisis. The most crucial aspect of compliance with FATF in Pakistan's case would be steps to effectively prevent militant groups from openly operating and raising funds, as the LeT has done from Islamic charities. The FATF has pushed Pakistan to adequately identify, assess and understand risks associated with jihadist groups present in the country such as LeT, Islamic State, al Qaeda, Jamat-ud-Dawa and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). Pakistan has long been accused of nurturing and supporting militant groups like the LeT for use as proxies to project power in the South Asian region particularly in Afghanistan and India. Islamabad denies such accusations. In 2018 the FATF placed Pakistan on a so-called "grey list" of countries with inadequate controls over terrorism financing.

Pakistan expects reprieve at global anti-terror financing meeting

Sources: Pakistan remain on FATF grey list

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