In what comes as another setback for Pakistan, the United States on Tuesday (American Standard Time) designated the leader of Pak-based terror group Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as a terrorist. The terror group is responsible for carrying out multiple bombings and killing civilians. Noor Wali, the designated leader, took over TTP after the death of his predecessor Mullah Fazlullah in 2018. The FATF had given a stern message to Pakistan to expedite its action plan for curbing terror financing by October or face the prospect of getting blacklisted, which could aggravate problems for its stagnant economy. The present action by the US might adversely impact Islamabad case in front of the FATF. Along with the TPP, the state department also listed leaders of Hizballah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, ISIS, ISIS-Philippines and ISIS-West Africa. The department also designated an Al-Qaida affiliate in Syria- Hurras al-Din– as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. “Since the horrific attacks of 9/11, the US government has refocused its counterterrorism efforts to constantly adapt to emerging threats. President Trump’s modernised counterterrorism Executive Order enhances the authorities we use to target the finances of terror groups and their leaders to ensure they are as robust as possible,” US Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin said. He added, “These new authorities will allow the US government to starve terrorists of resources they need to attack the United States and our allies and will hold foreign financial institutions who continue to do business with them accountable.” “These new tools aid our unrelenting efforts to cut off terrorists from their sources of support and deprive them of the funds required to carry out their destructive activities. They serve as a powerful deterrent to radical terror groups and those seeking to aid their nefarious goals,” he added.