Completion of FATF action plans 'result of concerted national efforts': Bilawal.

ISLAMABAD -- Minister for Foreign Affairs Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has termed Pakistan's successful completion of the action plans laid out by the Financial Action Task Force the "result of concerted national efforts", according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on his behalf on Sunday.

The Foreign Office, quoting FM Bilawal, said: "I welcome FATF's unanimous acknowledgment of completion by Pakistan of its 2018 and 2021 Action Plans. I would like to commend the hard work and dedicated efforts of Pakistan's FATF team that have led to the successful completion of all technical requirements of both FATF Action Plans."

The foreign minister said that this was "the result of concerted national efforts and complete harmony of interests by all stakeholders".

Referring to the announcement by the FATF plenary - convened in Berlin from June 14-17 - of granting an on-site visit to Pakistan, he said that it is "a welcome development".

"It reflects the remarkable progress made by Pakistan to enhance the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime," he said, in reference to the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism measures that the task force assesses.

FM Bilawal's statement comes after a rush by various quarters to attribute credit for the achievement, from PTI leaders to current government figures, to the military.

Former prime minister and PTI chairman Imran Khan quickly credited his government for the outcome in a series of tweets, lauding the efforts of Hammad Azhar, who in his own media briefing highlighted that Pakistan had submitted the final document for review in April when the PTI was in power.

Separately PTI leader Shireen Mazari lashed out at the coalition government for what she said was an attempt to take credit for the positive outcome.

"Let's be clear FATF removal based on concrete legal...