Park must continue to act ‘credibly’ against terrorism: India on FATF decision

New Delhi: India said Pakistan must continue to take “credible, verifiable, irreversible and sustained” action against terrorism and terrorist financing emanating from territories under its control.

The remarks were made by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in response to media questions about Pakistan’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) gray list on Friday.

“The world remains clear that Pakistan must continue to take credible, verifiable, irreversible and sustained action against terrorism and terrorist financing emanating from territories under its control. It is a matter of global concern,” Bagchi said in a statement.

“Following the FATF scrutiny, Pakistan has been compelled to take some action against high-profile terrorists, including those involved in the attack in Mumbai on 26/11 against the entire international community,” he added. rice field.

“Pakistan understands that it will continue to cooperate with the Asia Pacific Group on money laundering (APG) and further improve its anti-money laundering (AML) / counter-terrorism financing (CFT) system,” the spokesperson added. Stated.

In a statement, the FATF announced that Pakistan was no longer subject to the enhanced surveillance process.

The FATF reportedly welcomed Pakistan’s “significant progress in improving its AML/CFT (anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing) regime.”

Pakistan was strengthened in June 2018 by deficiencies in its legal, financial, regulatory, investigation, prosecution, judicial and non-governmental sectors to combat money laundering, considered a serious threat to global finance. Jurisdiction included under watch list. system.

Islamabad has made a high-level political commitment to address these deficiencies under its 27-point action plan. However, the number of action points was later increased to 34.

Since then, the country has worked with the FATF and its affiliates to strengthen its legal and financial systems against money laundering and terrorist financing to meet international standards in line with the FATF’s 40 recommendations, Dawn said. reported.

A joint delegation of 15 members from the FATF and its Sydney-based regional affiliate, the Asia Pacific Group, visited Pakistan from 29 August to 2 September to implement the 34 actions pledged by the FATF. Checked Pakistan’s compliance with the plan. .

Authorities, who discreetly covered the delegation’s nationwide visit, later called it a “smooth and successful visit”. We had a great discussion.

“After vigorous and consistent efforts over the past four years, Pakistan has not only achieved a high degree of technical compliance with FATF standards, but also achieved a high level of effectiveness through the implementation of two comprehensive FATF Action Plans. I have secured it,” he believed. .