Politicisation of FATF.

Byline: Malik Muhammad Ashraf

Reportedly Deputy Director General for Policy Planning of Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Yao Wen talking to the visiting Pakistani journalists categorically stated that China did not want the FATF forum to be politicized as some countries were pursuing their political agenda in a bid to blacklist Pakistan. He further said that China had clearly told the US and India that it could not do it as the FATF was not meant to put any country in the blacklist, rather to support it to take action against terror financing.

The foregoing remarks make it clear beyond any doubt that in spite of the fact that Pakistan had made considerable progress in tackling money laundering and terror financing and rendered unparalleled sacrifices in fighting the scourge of terrorism, the US and India were making relentless efforts in keeping Pakistan under pressure to achieve their political ends which is quite understandable in the backdrop of their strategic cooperation.

Pakistan was put on the grey list on the basis of a resolution moved by US and its allies in the FATF in June 2018. China is right on money to point out the real role of FATF. It must assist Pakistan in overcoming the problem rather than trying to punish it to fulfill the political designs of the big powers. It was encouraging to note that while making the foregoing observations Mr. Yao Wen also reiterated that Pakistan was effectively pursuing its National Action Plan and China encouraged it to act against terrorists and strengthen its system. He also vowed that China would help Pakistan technically and politically to improve its system, build its capacity to handle issues related to terror financing while also urging the FATF member countries to adopt the same policy.

China has always stood by Pakistan and extended unqualified support to her on all international forums on issues of concern to the latter. It was due to the efforts and support of China, Turkey and Malaysia that Pakistan avoided being pushed to the blacklist in the last meeting of FATF in spite of the persistent efforts by India and US. According to the Charter of FATF, the support of at least three countries is required to keep any state from being blacklisted and 14-15 votes to get out of the grey list.

The FATF in its meeting from 14-18 October reviewing the progress made by Pakistan in implementing the 27 point action plan given to her noted that the country had complied with thirty six out...

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