Pakistan may escape FATF noose this time

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 24

Pakistan may escape getting blacklisted at the next month’s Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting following the enrolment of friendly Saudi Arabia as member and backing by China, Malaysia and Turkey, all of whom are upset over India’s handling of Kashmir situation.

A meeting of the FATF’s regional grouping this week in Beijing has provided straws in the wind, especially due to resolute backing from China and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s appeal to US President Donald Trump in this regard.

“Pakistan has made great efforts to strengthen its domestic counter-terrorism financing system with visible progress. We hope that the FATF will continue to offer constructive support and assistance to Pakistan in its continued efforts to improve the counter-terrorism financing system and effectively fighting terrorist financing,’’ said the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

India has publicly maintained that any decision on Pakistan’s blacklisting will be a collective one from the FATF but officials here have consistently hinted at concerted lobbying to ensure Islamabad joins the blacklisted ranks of the likes of Iran and North Korea. “India has always stressed on Pakistan’s inclusion in the grey list, saying that the country has only made cosmetic efforts in fighting terrorism and money laundering,’’ MEA spokesperson Ravish Kumar had said.

At the FATF’s October meeting where it avoided getting blacklisted, Pakistan put its best foot forward at the Asia Pacific Group meeting in Beijing, arriving three days earlier to lobby its case.