ISLAMABAD: Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s confession that the Narendra Modi government “ensured” that Pakistan remained on the “grey list” has led to serious questions on the integrity of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
The admission by India has cast a big question mark over the credibility of the FATF and further strengthened doubts over its neutrality.
“Due to us, Pakistan is under the lens of FATF and it was kept in the grey list. We have been successful in pressurizing Pakistan and the fact that Pakistan’s behaviour has changed is because of pressure put by India by various measures,” ANI quoted Jaishankar as saying.
READ MORE: Pakistan fails to exit FATF grey list despite ‘significant progress’
FOREIGN OFFICE RESPONDS TO INDIA:
In response to the media queries regarding the Indian external affairs minister’s statement of July 18, 2021, regarding India’s disagreeable role in the greylisting of Pakistan by FATF, the Spokesperson said that the Indian statement not only exposes its true colors but also vindicates Pakistan’s longstanding stance on India’s negative role in FATF.
Pakistan has always been highlighting to the international community the politicization of FATF and undermining of its processes by India. The recent Indian statement is just further corroboration of its continued efforts to use an important technical forum for its narrow political designs against Pakistan. While Pakistan has been sincerely and constructively engaged with FATF during the implementation of the Action Plan, India has left no stone unturned in casting doubts on Pakistan’s progress through disgraceful means.
Pakistan has been exposing India’s duplicitous role to the international community in the past and it will also bring this recent confession by India to the notice of FATF and the broader international community. Pakistan is also considering approaching the FATF president for appropriate action in this matter. Following the recent confession by Indian Government, India’s credentials for assessing Pakistan in FATF as co-chair of the Joint Group or for that matter any other country are subject to questions, which we urge FATF to look into.
Pakistan’s immense progress in AML/CFT domain demonstrated through concrete, tangible and verifiable actions has been openly acknowledged by FATF. We are resolved to sustain this momentum and trajectory with the support and cooperation of our international partners. India’s delusions of putting pressure on Pakistan have always remained unfulfilled and would never see the light of day.
Despite distractions including the politicization of FATF processes by certain jurisdictions, Pakistan re-affirms its commitment to bring its AML/CFT systems to international standards for its own good and also tofulfill its international obligations and commitments.
