Daily Times

Interim Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar on Wednesday requested the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to remove Pakistan from its grey list.

The FATF is a global body that combats terrorist financing and money laundering. The decision to place Pakistan on the global money laundering watchdog’s grey list was made during its plenary meeting in February this year.

As the crucial meeting of FATF went under way, the Pakistani delegation led by the minister apprised the watchdog of steps taken by the country to stem money laundering and terror financing. She put up a robust case for removing Pakistan’s name from the grey list.

Pakistan is likely to be granted more time to implement necessary measures to be fully compliant with the anti-money laundering and terrorist financing regulations by the FATF. The six-day meeting of the watchdog will continue until June 29 in the French capital.

Ahead of the current meeting, Pakistan took several steps in keeping with the FATF regulations. On June 20, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) issued Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Regulations 2018. Earlier on June 8, the National Security Committee (NSC) reaffirmed its commitment to cooperate with the FATF. “The committee reaffirmed the commitment of the country to work with FATF and other international organisations in achieving common goals and shared objectives,” a statement issued by the Prime Minister Office on the NSC meeting had said.

Pakistan also remained on the FATF grey list from 2012 to 2015.

Published in Daily Times, June 28^th 2018.