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Shame! Government Finally Confirms Pakistan Is Being Placed On FATF Terror Financing Watchlist

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The FATF (Financial Action Task Force) is an international watchdog body that works on curbing extremism and terrorism throughout the world. The Financial Action Task Force also has a list, where nations that finance terror, are warned, then banned — ruining their international reputation, which indirectly means a further ruined economy.

The debate had been going on for a while, whether Pakistan was actually placed on the FATF Grey List, or whether all this was an ‘Indian media’ conspiracy and how the neighbors were trying to have a go at our country. However, the government of Pakistan confirmed today that indeed, the country has been placed on the Financial Action Task Force’s Grey List, a very shambolic and humiliating feat.

The FATF only highlights those nations where funding terrorists and fund collection of militants themselves is not prohibited. And at that, Pakistan has been pinpointed with this vice. Pakistan’s foreign office spokesman, Dr. Muhammad Faisal informed media that Pakistan was placed on the FATF Grey List via the decision taken at the plenary in Paris last week.

Source: The Indian Express

“Pakistan will be assigned to the greylist in June, once an action plan has been mutually negotiated,” said Dr. Faisal, adding that Pakistan is ready to comply with the FATF in every way it is asked. There were also scares that Pakistan might be placed under the blacklist or this shade of grey would turn darker in June, but the Foreign Office rid those claims stating that only countries who do not cooperate with the FATF are placed under the blacklist.

Source: Samaa TV

This unfortunate move has hurt Pakistan a little more than the country realized. When Donald Trump and the US warned Pakistan and other counties ‘they would be watching’ the Jerusalem-Vote, they made sure they took revenge. The United States was able to convince China and Saudi Arabia to withdraw their support for Pakistan at the FATF, which is the reason we are on the list now.

Furthermore, as for Saudi Arabia, after withdrawing their support for Pakistan the FATF awarded them with full membership, thanks to the US. As for China, if it remained as the only country supporting Pakistan, the world would denounce their move and it would work against the country’s goals for business with the rest of the world. Thus, China had to save face and leave Pakistan alone for once. This grey list placement will be a huge test for Pakistan. Would our country be able to get off the watchdog list and work towards cutting off finances to militant groups? Only time will tell.

This is also not the first time Pakistan has been on the FATF’s grey list. In 2012, Pakistan was in the same position and it took us 3 years to get off the list in 2015. Now, we will have to repeat the same process and convince the world that Pakistan is doing enough to counter terrorist financing. Indeed, an embarrassing situation.

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