Paris, Oct 25 – The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) warned Pakistan that moving off the “greylist” in October 2022 does not mean the country is out of sight for global watchdogs. Fatwa-fired, FATF President Elisa de Anda Madrazo said the group will keep watching how Pakistan tackles terror‑financing and money laundering.
“At any time, a country can still be a target for criminals,” Madrazo told reporters in Paris after the FATF’s plenary meeting. “Being off the greylist isn’t a guarantee. We want all nations, even those that were delisted, to keep tightening their safeguards against illicit money.”
Pakistan was pulled from the FATF greylist last year once it began implementing steps to curb financing for militants. The country, however, is not a FATF member, so the Asia Pacific Group (APG) has monitored its progress.
The greylist lists countries that, due to weak controls, face higher risk of supporting terrorism or laundering funds. “Delisting isn’t the finish line,” Madrazo added. “It signals a chance to close loopholes that traffickers exploit.”
Her remarks arrive as new reports reveal that Pakistan‑based groups like Jaish‑e‑Mohammad are turning to digital wallets and covert transfers to fund training camps. The FATF’s latest “Comprehensive Update on Terrorist Financing Risks” notes this trend and highlights the risk of state‑backed terror from within Pakistan. India’s 2022 National Risk Assessment also names Pakistan as a high‑risk source of terror finance, especially through the state‑run National Development Complex (NDC).
The FATF emphasized that its mission is to strip criminals and terrorists of the money they need. “We will continue to enforce global standards,” Madrazo said. “Our goal is simple: deny terrorists the funding that fuels their attacks.”
The Paris meeting also saw two new mutual evaluation reports approved under revamped, results‑based criteria. Belgium and Malaysia were the first countries assessed under this new framework, which focuses on tangible outcomes rather than just paperwork. In addition, the FATF removed Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Nigeria, and South Africa from the greylist after they completed their action plans.
As Pakistan moves forward, the international community will watch closely to ensure that the country maintains strong rules against terror financing and money laundering.
Source: ianslive
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
