Pakistan '1 Step Away' from Exiting Watchdog FATF's 'Grey List' : Sources [Post#575]

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Pakistan hit with $38 billion loss due to FATF grey list
Pakistan has been hit with massive losses to its GDP worth $38 billion because of the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) decision to retain the country on its grey list since 2008, according to a research paper published by the Islamabad-based independent think-tank, Tabadlab.

The paper titled, "Bearing the cost of global politics -- the impact of FATF grey-listing on Pakistan's economy", has been authored by Naafey Sardar.

This comes against the backdrop of a fresh grey list

Read more at:
https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...ofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

 

[OMB]

Rhetorical statements against FATF by Pakistan are counterproductive: EU

Daniel Ferrie, a spokesperson for the European Commission, says financing terrorism and preventing money laundering are EU's top priorities.
Diplomat advises Pakistan not to issue rhetorical statements against international institutions, particularly UN-affiliated institutions like the FATF.
Says such statements are "not only counterproductive, but also harmful to Pakistan's interest".

BRUSSELS: The European Union has said that the fight against money laundering is its top priority.

It is why, the EU says, they encourage all countries, including Pakistan, to follow the steps outlined by the Financial Action Task Force.

The statement from the EU came after its spokesperson was asked why Pakistan has been placed on the FATF grey list despite implementing of 26 out of 27 points.

Daniel Ferrie, a spokesperson for the European Commission, said financing terrorism and preventing money laundering were the EU's top priorities.

"You may have noticed that many of the steps we have taken in recent years are important not only for the European Union but also for the world," he said, adding that they are working with international partners for this purpose within the FATF framework.

The spokesperson said he would not comment on FATF's actions, but would like to say that the fight against terrorist financing and money laundering is the EU's top priority.

The EU is improving every month in its anti-money laundering laws to prevent money laundering within the EU borders, he said, adding that many EU member states are not following strict rules and would be reprimanded in the AML package which will be implemented soon.

Pakistan raised a question about whether FATF is a technical or political body, he said, opining that such a statement is not serving Pakistan and was rather received negatively by European capitals.

The diplomat advised Pakistan not to issue rhetorical statements against international institutions, particularly UN-affiliated institutions like the FATF.

He said they "not only counterproductive, but also harmful to Pakistan's interest".

Last week, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi questioned the decision of the FATF to keep Pakistan on its "increased monitoring list", widely known as the grey list after the country completed 26 out of the 27 points under the action plan given to it by the financial watchdog.

The FATF, after a five-day plenary meeting, appreciated on Friday Pakistan's progress and efforts to address items on its country action plan and announced to keep the country on its grey list till it addressed "the one remaining CFT-related item". It has also handed the government six new anti-money laundering areas to work on.

In response to the FATF announcement, FM Qureshi said, "it is to be determined whether FATF is a political forum or a technical one and whether it is being used to achieve political objectives."

https://www.geo.tv/latest/357502-rhetorical-statements-against-fatf-by-pakistan-are-counterproductive-eu

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Rhetorical statements against FATF by Pakistan are counterproductive: EU

Daniel Ferrie, a spokesperson for the European Commission, says financing terrorism and preventing money laundering are EU's top priorities.
Diplomat advises Pakistan not to issue rhetorical statements against international institutions, particularly UN-affiliated institutions like the FATF.
Says such statements are "not only counterproductive, but also harmful to Pakistan's interest".

BRUSSELS: The European Union has said that the fight against money laundering is its top priority.

It is why, the EU says, they encourage all countries, including Pakistan, to follow the steps outlined by the Financial Action Task Force.

The statement from the EU came after its spokesperson was asked why Pakistan has been placed on the FATF grey list despite implementing of 26 out of 27 points.

Daniel Ferrie, a spokesperson for the European Commission, said financing terrorism and preventing money laundering were the EU's top priorities.

"You may have noticed that many of the steps we have taken in recent years are important not only for the European Union but also for the world," he said, adding that they are working with international partners for this purpose within the FATF framework.

The spokesperson said he would not comment on FATF's actions, but would like to say that the fight against terrorist financing and money laundering is the EU's top priority.

The EU is improving every month in its anti-money laundering laws to prevent money laundering within the EU borders, he said, adding that many EU member states are not following strict rules and would be reprimanded in the AML package which will be implemented soon.

Pakistan raised a question about whether FATF is a technical or political body, he said, opining that such a statement is not serving Pakistan and was rather received negatively by European capitals.

The diplomat advised Pakistan not to issue rhetorical statements against international institutions, particularly UN-affiliated institutions like the FATF.

He said they "not only counterproductive, but also harmful to Pakistan's interest".

Last week, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi questioned the decision of the FATF to keep Pakistan on its "increased monitoring list", widely known as the grey list after the country completed 26 out of the 27 points under the action plan given to it by the financial watchdog.

The FATF, after a five-day plenary meeting, appreciated on Friday Pakistan's progress and efforts to address items on its country action plan and announced to keep the country on its grey list till it addressed "the one remaining CFT-related item". It has also handed the government six new anti-money laundering areas to work on.

In response to the FATF announcement, FM Qureshi said, "it is to be determined whether FATF is a political forum or a technical one and whether it is being used to achieve political objectives."

https://www.geo.tv/latest/357502-rhetorical-statements-against-fatf-by-pakistan-are-counterproductive-eu

Looks like a diplomatic warning by the EU. Does Pakistan import anything from EU or need it.
If China is on the side, time for Pakistan to adopt China's style of Wolf Warrior Diplomacy.

 

[PetroDollars]

Looks like a diplomatic warning by the EU. Does Pakistan import anything from EU or need it.
If China is on the side, time for Pakistan to adopt China's style of Wolf Warrior Diplomacy.

no, but they get concessions from them like G.S.P which accounts for 50% of pakistans exports, which is already under review, after IKs blashpemy remarks.

This love affair with China is just based on emotions and stupidity, they are a manufacturing country and exporter nation and offer pakistan nothing, pakistan needs good relations with big importing nations to get it self in the same position as china has and become an exporter nation.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

no, but they get concessions from them like G.S.P which accounts for 50% of pakistans exports, which is already under review, after IKs blashpemy remarks.

This love affair with China is just based on emotions and stupidity, they are a manufacturing country and exporter nation and offer pakistan nothing, pakistan needs good relations with big importing nations to get it self in the same position as china has and become an exporter nation.

Well the love affair with China is brining much need FDI i believe.
As none of the Western nations invested in terms of technology or finance services in Pakistan, like they did in India.
Pakistan was a just a gun for hire during War on Terror. The establishment could have leveraged much more out of that in terms of local development instead of siphoning money to buy Pizza franchises accross the world.

I see a clear separation in the World now, With China/Pakistan/Iran/Russia on one side and rest of the Western bloc + India.
May as well go full on in that.

Just days before FATF plenary meeting, DW, German state TV releases a documentary for the reasons on Terror in Europe with the logo of ISI as the main emblem, Do you think that is just a coincidence. It was well planned move and sway public opinion within Europe to say, look, this is not because of our security failures.
Realities are changing and America is going to try till its last breath to not let China become a major influencer in the world.
Whoever wins this, will shape the world in second half of 21st century and 22nd century i guess.

 

[cric_man]

Well the love affair with China is brining much need FDI i believe.
As none of the Western nations invested in terms of technology or finance services in Pakistan, like they did in India.
Pakistan was a just a gun for hire during War on Terror. The establishment could have leveraged much more out of that in terms of local development instead of siphoning money to buy Pizza franchises accross the world.

I see a clear separation in the World now, With China/Pakistan/Iran/Russia on one side and rest of the Western bloc + India.
May as well go full on in that.

Just days before FATF plenary meeting, DW, German state TV releases a documentary for the reasons on Terror in Europe with the logo of ISI as the main emblem, Do you think that is just a coincidence. It was well planned move and sway public opinion within Europe to say, look, this is not because of our security failures.
Realities are changing and America is going to try till its last breath to not let China become a major influencer in the world.
Whoever wins this, will shape the world in second half of 21st century and 22nd century i guess.

So you agree that it is political?

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

So you agree that it is political?

It is very naive for anyone to think it is not political. I mean more money gets laundered in the financial services sector and Switzerland etc then you can possibly imagine.
All Big 4 Banks of Australia have been fined for not having effective systems in place for tracking criminal activity. Check the case of Westpac paying 900 Million AUD in fine.

The financial system is built by the Western Bloc, and if you are not kow towing there line then you will suffer the consequences.
Chinese were really smart to embed themselves in the system first and then play around. But, now the Western world has realised what has happened and are pushing back.

From Indian perspective, we have good relations with Iran/Russia as well as Western world. But, Pakistan seems to believe in relying on one Power at time. It was Americans in the 60s and 70s and China in the 21st Century. No Diversification, which is a danger. But that is the path they are on, and until Imran takes a U-Turn and offers bases to Americans, the FATF noose will be hanging around. I may be wrong, but this is what the signs are pointing to.

 

[PetroDollars]

Well the love affair with China is brining much need FDI i believe.
As none of the Western nations invested in terms of technology or finance services in Pakistan, like they did in India.
Pakistan was a just a gun for hire during War on Terror. The establishment could have leveraged much more out of that in terms of local development instead of siphoning money to buy Pizza franchises accross the world.

I see a clear separation in the World now, With China/Pakistan/Iran/Russia on one side and rest of the Western bloc + India.
May as well go full on in that.

Just days before FATF plenary meeting, DW, German state TV releases a documentary for the reasons on Terror in Europe with the logo of ISI as the main emblem, Do you think that is just a coincidence. It was well planned move and sway public opinion within Europe to say, look, this is not because of our security failures.
Realities are changing and America is going to try till its last breath to not let China become a major influencer in the world.
Whoever wins this, will shape the world in second half of 21st century and 22nd century i guess.

Not FDI, only loans and debt.
Western nations give us debt too but also aid, concessions and perks,
This is why we need them more than we need china, and why china needs them more then they need us, the west buy our stuff and for now its all we can do and become a exporter. Aligning with china only serves there interests, we have got nothing in China, with the west we both get something out of the relationship.

Not sure which tech your talking about they gave to india, because our army has much more sophisticated american tech then the indians, we also receive more military aid then them from america, and that was before WoT too. Our army is heavily reliant on american tech while indians use russian.
In terms of financial services, we got the BCCI bank, which become one of the biggest on the planet, then we messed it up.

However i agree, we could have got 100 times more during WoT unfortunately we are rubbish negotiators and diplomats.

As for for future relations, its also a myth that there is a western bloc + India, they are more pro russian then us or the chinese, the china-russia relations are also over rated, these are things only zaid hamid and his fan club spread. Also theres no such thing as the west, USA and EU are at logger heads and have always been, theres no such thing as west vs east or usa vs china, its capitalism vs communism and has been like that for the last 150 years. Europe as of now is in the middle of a silent war between the right and left, while america is completely drowning in the right.

My view on pakistans future relations are that they should just maintain neutrality, there is nothing in this future war for us, we are just tissue paper that the bigger powers want to use and then discard If pakistan does find it self in the middle of a china-usa war, they all will make sure pakistan is the battleground where it will be fought and it will destory us.

As for the doc you mention, i havnt seen it, but it also mentions the funding as coming from western intel services (read, the right wing), europe as of now is too heavily socialist for them to get into any war between usa or china.

 

[street cricketer]

Learning that one of the ISI heads owned Papa John's was a bit of a surprise for me. Is it the same Papa John's that's popular or is it a different one? And does he still own it?

I remember eating from the restaurant outlet a few years back in India. But the restaurant chain has closed its operations in India now.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Not FDI, only loans and debt.
Western nations give us debt too but also aid, concessions and perks,
This is why we need them more than we need china, and why china needs them more then they need us, the west buy our stuff and for now its all we can do and become a exporter. Aligning with china only serves there interests, we have got nothing in China, with the west we both get something out of the relationship.

Not sure which tech your talking about they gave to india, because our army has much more sophisticated american tech then the indians, we also receive more military aid then them from america, and that was before WoT too. Our army is heavily reliant on american tech while indians use russian.
In terms of financial services, we got the BCCI bank, which become one of the biggest on the planet, then we messed it up.

However i agree, we could have got 100 times more during WoT unfortunately we are rubbish negotiators and diplomats.

As for for future relations, its also a myth that there is a western bloc + India, they are more pro russian then us or the chinese, the china-russia relations are also over rated, these are things only zaid hamid and his fan club spread. Also theres no such thing as the west, USA and EU are at logger heads and have always been, theres no such thing as west vs east or usa vs china, its capitalism vs communism and has been like that for the last 150 years. Europe as of now is in the middle of a silent war between the right and left, while america is completely drowning in the right.

My view on pakistans future relations are that they should just maintain neutrality, there is nothing in this future war for us, we are just tissue paper that the bigger powers want to use and then discard If pakistan does find it self in the middle of a china-usa war, they all will make sure pakistan is the battleground where it will be fought and it will destory us.

As for the doc you mention, i havnt seen it, but it also mentions the funding as coming from western intel services (read, the right wing), europe as of now is too heavily socialist for them to get into any war between usa or china.

The tech i was mentioning was in terms of job creation for local population in financial/healthcare and technology sectors. Not the military tech.

Pakistan could have leveraged that a lot when America wanted to get stuff done from Pakistan in the 90s and 2000s. Would have changed the landscape in terms of FDI further and local development.
Well, I may be wrong in my observations but the Alignment in the world looks like that.
Americans are pushing back against Chinese influence, like they did back with Russians during Cold War. The documentary i mentioned lays the blame squarely on ISI, which I found very surprising and fishy given the timing of FATF plenary. May be French colluded with Germans on that due to recent events, or not. Looked like a coordinated effort from Western Bloc but may be I am reading too much into it.

Even EU is now asking China questions. Sweden for example has completely turned Anti China from being Pro China as Chinese tried to push Swedish officials to not attend an award ceremony for dissident Chinese writer.

So, lets see how the world shapes up. The peace has lasted only between 1990 and 1999 and post 2001 and now the World is again going towards more polarisation and division into blocs.

 

[Napa]

no, but they get concessions from them like G.S.P which accounts for 50% of pakistans exports, which is already under review, after IKs blashpemy remarks.

<b>This love affair with China is just based on emotions and stupidity, they are a manufacturing country and exporter nation and offer pakistan nothing,</b> pakistan needs good relations with big importing nations to get it self in the same position as china has and become an exporter nation.

Spot on. No nation has ever got rich trading with China simply because China makes sure it exports a lot more than it imports. Western firms have got rich, but the countries poorer.

China isn't going to let Pakistan run large positive trade surpluses. Pakistan needs to develop modern industries and export to the West, like China, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, India, Malaysia etc. did to grow their industries. There is no option.

 

[Napa]

Pakistan could have leveraged that a lot when America wanted to get stuff done from Pakistan in the 90s and 2000s. Would have changed the landscape in terms of FDI further and local development.

Pakistan made a wrong choice then. They chose to become a "geopolitical player" by cultivating "assets" like the Taliban, which harbored OBL, who blew up the Trade Towers. This choice helped Pakistan's military as these assets could be used to keep the low-level war with India going, thus letting the military remain relevant domestically. However, this choice was devastating for Pakistan's economy.

 

[Napa]

Learning that one of the ISI heads owned Papa John's was a bit of a surprise for me. Is it the same Papa John's that's popular or is it a different one? And does he still own it?

I remember eating from the restaurant outlet a few years back in India. But the restaurant chain has closed its operations in India now.

Papa John's has a lot of franchisees. Bajwa's brother is one of the those who owns multiple franchises. He does not own Papa John's.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Learning that one of the ISI heads owned Papa John's was a bit of a surprise for me. Is it the same Papa John's that's popular or is it a different one? And does he still own it?

I remember eating from the restaurant outlet a few years back in India. But the restaurant chain has closed its operations in India now.

Papa Johns is franchise based. Its still there is most of the major cities I believe.

 

[Napa]

Rhetorical statements against FATF by Pakistan are counterproductive: EU

Daniel Ferrie, a spokesperson for the European Commission, says financing terrorism and preventing money laundering are EU's top priorities.
Diplomat advises Pakistan not to issue rhetorical statements against international institutions, particularly UN-affiliated institutions like the FATF.
Says such statements are "not only counterproductive, but also harmful to Pakistan's interest".

BRUSSELS: The European Union has said that the fight against money laundering is its top priority.

It is why, the EU says, they encourage all countries, including Pakistan, to follow the steps outlined by the Financial Action Task Force.

These are facts which will determine how Pakistan's membership of the FATF grey list plays out.

1. The Western countries are leaving Afghanistan. We are soon going to hear horror stories of the Taliban beating women and stuffing Hazara men into trucks for them to die of heat, unless there is a check on them.

2. The West has economic leverage on Pakistan, it doesn't have military leverage as it is not willing to incur casualties any more after about 4,000 dead in Afghanistan.

3. The economic leverage is most easily implemented through FATF. FM Quershi asks "it is to be determined whether FATF is a political forum or a technical one and whether it is being used to achieve political objectives."? He is either naive or is being cute. Of course FATF is being used to achieve political objectives, the prime one being to get the Taliban to behave. A secondary one is for Pakistan stop supporting attacks on Indian forces in Kashmir. India's clout with the West is limited but growing.

4. There is no point in complaining about West's "double standards" and "hypocrisy" with the FATF. If you want to do business with them, you have to pay heed to their political desires. If you think they are supporting terrorism then put sanctions on them and see how that works

 

[cric_man]

These are facts which will determine how Pakistan's membership of the FATF grey list plays out.

1. The Western countries are leaving Afghanistan. We are soon going to hear horror stories of the Taliban beating women and stuffing Hazara men into trucks for them to die of heat, unless there is a check on them.

2. The West has economic leverage on Pakistan, it doesn't have military leverage as it is not willing to incur casualties any more after about 4,000 dead in Afghanistan.

3. The economic leverage is most easily implemented through FATF. FM Quershi asks "it is to be determined whether FATF is a political forum or a technical one and whether it is being used to achieve political objectives."? He is either naive or is being cute. Of course FATF is being used to achieve political objectives, the prime one being to get the Taliban to behave. A secondary one is for Pakistan stop supporting attacks on Indian forces in Kashmir. India's clout with the West is limited but growing.

4. There is no point in complaining about West's "double standards" and "hypocrisy" with the FATF. If you want to do business with them, you have to pay heed to their political desires. If you think they are supporting terrorism then put sanctions on them and see how that works

It was the other way around. Dostum's militia stuffed Taliban prisoners in container and let them suffocate to death. When coalition troops complained the machine gunned the containers to make breathing holes for the prisoner. Not excusing Taliban, they have done their share of atrocities.

 

[cric_man]

It is very naive for anyone to think it is not political. I mean more money gets laundered in the financial services sector and Switzerland etc then you can possibly imagine.
All Big 4 Banks of Australia have been fined for not having effective systems in place for tracking criminal activity. Check the case of Westpac paying 900 Million AUD in fine.

The financial system is built by the Western Bloc, and if you are not kow towing there line then you will suffer the consequences.
Chinese were really smart to embed themselves in the system first and then play around. But, now the Western world has realised what has happened and are pushing back.

From Indian perspective, we have good relations with Iran/Russia as well as Western world. But, Pakistan seems to believe in relying on one Power at time. It was Americans in the 60s and 70s and China in the 21st Century. No Diversification, which is a danger. But that is the path they are on, and until Imran takes a U-Turn and offers bases to Americans, the FATF noose will be hanging around. I may be wrong, but this is what the signs are pointing to.

Thank you very much. Agree with most of what you have said.

 

[Napa]

It was the other way around. Dostum's militia stuffed Taliban prisoners in container and let them suffocate to death. When coalition troops complained the machine gunned the containers to make breathing holes for the prisoner. Not excusing Taliban, they have done their share of atrocities.

Educate yourself. This is from HRW. Note that the coalition arrived in Afghanistan after the following happened.

A Tajik man who had been detained in the prison [by the Taliban] at the time described how the prisoners were ordered into the trucks:

As the jail filled up they would bring container trucks. It is hard to say exactly who was being put in. They were going to put me in, but I yelled, “I am old and Tajik—what are you doing?” It was very hot. People were already very thirsty. They put them inside and closed the doors. It was clear they would not survive ten minutes. I saw this happen once. There were maybe 120 to 150 men inside.

In at least two instances, nearly all of the prisoners inside the trucks died of asphyxiation in the crowded conditions and desert heat by the time the trucks reached Shiberghan, a three-hour drive from Mazar. One witness saw the trucks in Shiberghan:

In Shiberghan, they brought three containers to Bandare-i Ankhoï, close to the jail. When they opened the door of one truck, only three persons were alive. About 300 were dead. The three were taken to the jail. I could see all this from [where I was sitting]. This was seven days after the takeover. The containers were about twenty feet long. ... I know that there were many dead bodies because the Taliban asked [someone I know] and three Turkmens to go with them to Dasht-e-Leili [a desert site outside Shiberghan]. The Taliban did not want to touch the bodies so the porters took the bodies out of the containers.
https://www.hrw.org/legacy/reports98/afghan/Afrepor0-02.htm

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

Pakistan is not getting out of the grey list at least for a couple of more years. So that being the case the best option is for IK, the Foreign Minister, other senior government officials (with exception of Finance) to stop publicly talking about it.

The Financial Monitoring Unit is responsible to monitor money laundering, so the DG of that Agency Lubna Malik should take the lead. Or let Shaukat Tarin, the Finance Minister take the lead. But its a bad look for the government ministers to keep on publicly talking about FATF. Its not a big deal that Pakistan is on the grey list. And the chances of being on the Black list are close to zero.

 

[cric_man]

Educate yourself. This is from HRW. Note that the coalition arrived in Afghanistan after the following happened.

I think you need to do a bit of educating yourself.

The Dasht-i-Leili massacre occurred in December 2001 during the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan when 1,500 to 2,000 Taliban prisoners were shot and/or suffocated to death in metal shipping containers while being transferred by Junbish-i Milli soldiers under the supervision of forces loyal to General Rashid Dostum from Kunduz to Sheberghan prison in Afghanistan. The site of the graves is believed to be in the Dasht-e Leili desert just west of Sheberghan, in the Jowzjan Province.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dasht-i-Leili_massacre

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/sep/14/afghanistan.lukeharding

Worse part of it was the massacre happened with US troops present. SF were embedded with Dostum's Militia.

Read up my initial comment before pontificating. Taliban have done a lot of nasty atrocities, but the other side - the Farsibans aka NA Thugs are no angels either. Hazaras have butchered thousands of Pashtuns and then claim to be persecuted when the favor was returned. If the US withdrew today and the Northern Alliance had military superiority, they will be going to town against the Pashtuns (Taliban).

Read below some handywork of the Hazaras of surrendered Taliban troops back in 1997.

Hundreds of Taliban prisoners were massacred in Afghanistan, many thrown alive into wells which were blown up with grenades, UN spokesman, Mr John Mills, said yesterday. The information came from a special rapporteur who visited Afghanistan between November 30th and December 13th.

The rapporteur, Mr Paik Chong-Hyun of South Korea, inspected mass graves near Shebergan, to the east of Mazar-iSharif in northern Afghanistan, and was told by the local leader, Gen Abdul Rashid Dostum, that over 2,000 people had been killed, Mr Mills said.

Those murdered appear to have been Taliban soldiers captured during an advance in May and also members of local militias or political groups.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/un-reports-slaughter-of-captured-taliban-soldiers-1.138224

 

[Napa]

I think you need to do a bit of educating yourself.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dasht-i-Leili_massacre

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/sep/14/afghanistan.lukeharding

Worse part of it was the massacre happened with US troops present. SF were embedded with Dostum's Militia.

Read up my initial comment before pontificating. Taliban have done a lot of nasty atrocities, but the other side - the Farsibans aka NA Thugs are no angels either. Hazaras have butchered thousands of Pashtuns and then claim to be persecuted when the favor was returned. If the US withdrew today and the Northern Alliance had military superiority, they will be going to town against the Pashtuns (Taliban).

Read below some handywork of the Hazaras of surrendered Taliban troops back in 1997.



https://www.irishtimes.com/news/un-reports-slaughter-of-captured-taliban-soldiers-1.138224

Not sure what your point is. I posted that the Taliban may do what they have done before, that is massacre prisoners. You replied "It was the other way around. Dostum's militia stuffed Taliban prisoners in container and let them suffocate to death." This implied that the Taliban had not massacred prisoners, rather it was the "other side" which had massacred prisoners.

After I gave a link to a Taliban massacre, you replied with more examples of Dostum's (who is not even a Hazara) massacres. If you have evidence to back your "It was the other way around", that is the Taliban did not commit the massacre that I was referring to, then post it. Otherwise no more replies from me.

 

[Napa]

Read below some handywork of the Hazaras of surrendered Taliban troops back in 1997.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/un-reports-slaughter-of-captured-taliban-soldiers-1.138224

Not only is your knowledge of the issues poor, it appears you don't even know what is in the links you yourself post. The link from Irish Times that you posted refers to massacres committed by Dostum, who is an Uzbek and not a Hazara. The article doesn't have any reference to "handywork of the Hazaras of surrendered Taliban troops back in 1997". In fact the only sentence in which the word "Hazara" appears in the article is "Mr Paik also visited several villages around Mazar-i-Sharif where Taliban soldiers massacred civilians of the Hazara tribe during their September advance". Handywork of the Hazaras in getting themselves massacred

No more replies.

 

[PetroDollars]

Pakistan is not getting out of the grey list at least for a couple of more years. So that being the case the best option is for IK, the Foreign Minister, other senior government officials (with exception of Finance) to stop publicly talking about it.

The Financial Monitoring Unit is responsible to monitor money laundering, so the DG of that Agency Lubna Malik should take the lead. Or let Shaukat Tarin, the Finance Minister take the lead. But its a bad look for the government ministers to keep on publicly talking about FATF. Its not a big deal that Pakistan is on the grey list. And the chances of being on the Black list are close to zero.

How do you stop money laundering, when your ministers and army is involved in it.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

How do you stop money laundering, when your ministers and army is involved in it.

You have an empowered independent agency that can prosecute those involved in money laundering. Whether they are ministers or generals.

 

[PetroDollars]

You have an empowered independent agency that can prosecute those involved in money laundering. Whether they are ministers or generals.

Which empowered agency is this?

The most corrupt are sitting in the gov. with generals opening pizza frenchises in america with our money and getting gov. jobs.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

How do you stop money laundering, when your ministers and army is involved in it.

Which empowered agency is this?

The most corrupt are sitting in the gov. with generals opening pizza frenchises in america with our money and getting gov. jobs.

I would have thought if there's truth to any of those accusations would be fairly easy to expose publicly. Maybe you should share it if you have some.

 

[PetroDollars]

I would have thought if there's truth to any of those accusations would be fairly easy to expose publicly. Maybe you should share it if you have some.

Which accusations?

Im asking about this fictional empowered independent agency which is prosecuting all the villians.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Which accusations?

Im asking about this fictional empowered independent agency which is prosecuting all the villians.

The ones which are right there in your quotes:

How do you stop money laundering, when your ministers and army is involved in it.

The most corrupt are sitting in the gov. with generals opening pizza frenchises in america with our money and getting gov. jobs.


Those are pretty specific.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

Which empowered agency is this?

The most corrupt are sitting in the gov. with generals opening pizza frenchises in america with our money and getting gov. jobs.

I didn't say exists, but that's whats needed to stop money laundering. I believe the FBR is responsible to investigate money laundering. As well as the Financial Monitoring Unit.

 

[PetroDollars]

The ones which are right there in your quotes:

How do you stop money laundering, when your ministers and army is involved in it.

The most corrupt are sitting in the gov. with generals opening pizza frenchises in america with our money and getting gov. jobs.


Those are pretty specific.

Are you disputing the fact that all pakistani governments have been corrupt, as well as the judicary and army?

 

[PetroDollars]

I didn't say exists, but that's whats needed to stop money laundering. I believe the FBR is responsible to investigate money laundering. As well as the Financial Monitoring Unit.

These agencys have exited since the birth of pakistan, but they are as good as the police upholding the law and stopping criminals.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Are you disputing the fact that all pakistani governments have been corrupt, as well as the judicary and army?

I'm not disputing anything, it's you who is making these allegations, I am simply asking do you have some evidence to back up what are pretty specific allegations? I am not a big fan of throwing around accusations without some solid proof. I can well believe there is corruption in the army, but usually that needs to be proven to be taken seriously.

 

[PetroDollars]

I'm not disputing anything, it's you who is making these allegations, I am simply asking do you have some evidence to back up what are pretty specific allegations? I am not a big fan of throwing around accusations without some solid proof. I can well believe there is corruption in the army, but usually that needs to be proven to be taken seriously.

Im asking which 'accusation' are you talking about? If your asking about the pizza empire theres a thread on it already by the cpec general.

Here i can help
https://www.google.com/search?q=cpe...hUKEwjXyuWIrMfxAhVHXsAKHdsJAr8Q4dUDCA4&uact=5

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Lot of noise online about FATF being a political tool.
But, then why is State of Pakistan vociferously implementing these points and trying to get off the list. [MENTION=76058]cricketjoshila[/MENTION] [MENTION=151383]Local.Dada[/MENTION]

 

[PetroDollars]

Lot of noise online about FATF being a political tool.
But, then why is State of Pakistan vociferously implementing these points and trying to get off the list. [MENTION=76058]cricketjoshila[/MENTION] [MENTION=151383]Local.Dada[/MENTION]

Well all gov. usually accuse these organisations of being political manipulated when decisions don't go there way, didnt Trump do the same and say china controls the UN, WHO, WTO among others.

 

[ahsan17]

Lot of noise online about FATF being a political tool.
But, then why is State of Pakistan vociferously implementing these points and trying to get off the list. [MENTION=76058]cricketjoshila[/MENTION] [MENTION=151383]Local.Dada[/MENTION]

Well two things can be true at the same time. One could argue UK, UAE, Switzerland are much bigger hubs of money laundering than Pakistan. That doesn't mean money laundering doesn't exist in Pakistan.

This is all about plausible deniability. One could say Pakistan is on FATF because of money laundering going unchecked. But it's an appropriate response to say that FATF is political because it is not targetting much bigger hubs of money laundering.

 

[ahsan17]

Well all gov. usually accuse these organisations of being political manipulated when decisions don't go there way, didnt Trump do the same and say china controls the UN, WHO, WTO among others.

So you are not denying its political? Since UK, UAE and Switzerland get their way, they don't need to accuse them of being political?

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Well two things can be true at the same time. One could argue UK, UAE, Switzerland are much bigger hubs of money laundering than Pakistan. That doesn't mean money laundering doesn't exist in Pakistan.

This is all about plausible deniability. One could say Pakistan is on FATF because of money laundering going unchecked. But it's an appropriate response to say that FATF is political because it is not targetting much bigger hubs of money laundering.

Argue, UK and Switzerland are the havens of money laundering activities.
Add some banks of Australia as well having weak controls. Check Westpac scandal and also, recent Crown Junket Scandal, where dirty money is rolled in via gambling and made legal. These countries mostly look away to make billions themselves, until exposed.

My point is, if Pakistan believes it is unjust, do not implement the points and simply say it is political and we are not going to participate in it.

 

[MenInG]

Leave this thread for Pakistan please.

 

[ahsan17]

Argue, UK and Switzerland are the havens of money laundering activities.
Add some banks of Australia as well having weak controls. Check Westpac scandal and also, recent Crown Junket Scandal, where dirty money is rolled in via gambling and made legal. These countries mostly look away to make billions themselves, until exposed.

My point is, if Pakistan believes it is unjust, do not implement the points and simply say it is political and we are not going to participate in it.

It could potentially result in blacklisting, which is probably a much worse scenario. Unfortunately, this is the world smaller countries have to live in, where they have to play by the rules of the bigger countries, even if it's full of double standards, hypocrisy, etc.

 

[PetroDollars]

So you are not denying its political? Since UK, UAE and Switzerland get their way, they don't need to accuse them of being political?

i gave my views in thread,

However when it comes to those countries you mention in money laundering, there not being accused of terroism, which pakistan is, it makes the difference because money laundered ends up with terroists, which it doesn't in UK or Switzerland.

In terms of the verdict i dont think pakistan could even implement it, because they are asking for regulation on real estate, it will expose the corruption of the land mafia who are the army and the ministers.

In terms of going after UN named terroists, i dont think pakistan has an issue with that, its the reforms that will expose gov. corruption through regulation. In the end who does this benefit, the enemies or us, ofcourse us, as it means politians and generals are held to account.

 

[MenInG]

Federal Minister for Law and Justice Farogh Naseem has said that Pakistan was being subjected to ‘lawfare’ to achieve political and economic goals “without any military war”.

Addressing a seminar titled ‘Lawfare and Pakistan’ on Wednesday, the federal minister lamented that lawfare served as “both legitimate and illegitimate tool used as a weapon to force countries to surrender,” insisting that Pakistan was also a victim of the practice.

“We succeeded in implementing 26 of the 27-point FATF Action Plan. Yet the watchdog went on to keep the country on its grey list,” he said adding that Pakistan’s presence on the list stood in sharp contrast to the watchdog’s unfair treatment.

“Meanwhile, a man who was notoriously convicted by a court of mass murder in Gujarat ascended to power in India without eliciting any action [from the watchdog].”

“The adjudication of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav by the International Court of Justice is another example of this tactic,” the minister lamented. He pointed out that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Review and Reconsideration Bill was passed in view of the verdict of the international court.

“The opposition began to create a fuss wrongly accusing the government of becoming an advocate for the Indian spy.”

"We had earlier agreed that there would be no arbitration on the refusal of either party. However, we still went to arbitration and we were fined. In the broadsheet agreement, a person was paid who was not legally entitled to it. All this is the result of our incompetence.”

He stressed the need for launching reforms in domestic law to improve international public relations. “We need to make the foreign office more efficient and dynamic, as well as identify the fault lines within it.”

Concurring with the law minister, Information and Broadcasting Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, speaking on the occasion, said lawfare was being weaponised against the country.

He said the capacity building of institutions was vital to counter the anti-Pakistan propaganda of inimical countries.

Fawad said the term ‘lawfare’ was coined after the Second World War. “Over 85 million people had lost lives in the Second World War, a new thinking emerged that the world could not afford such wars in future and the term ‘lawfare’, which could be interpreted as law and security strategy, was coined.”

The colonial and oppressive powers, he added, used the ‘lawfare’ to crush the subjugated people by using international law to achieve their ulterior motives. Many states had been using the ‘lawfare’ to damage the interests of their rival countries, the minister said.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Who was convicted by the court in Gujarat of mass murder and ascended to power?

 

[OMB]

Stick to Pakistan and FATF discussion please

 

[Local.Dada]

What is this we have met 26/27 points argument? Money laundering and financial irregularities have 0 tolerance. This isn’t some unit test in school where someone gets grace marks lol

 

[cricketjoshila]

Stick to Pakistan and FATF discussion please

At least let them answer about the claims made by the Pakistani minister.

 

[ahsan17]

What is this we have met 26/27 points argument? Money laundering and financial irregularities have 0 tolerance. This isn’t some unit test in school where someone gets grace marks lol

Yes, I am sure you know all the minute details and nuances of money laundering, and that every country that FATF hasn't grey or blacklisted handles it exactly the same as the others.

 

[Hitman]

“Meanwhile, a man who was notoriously convicted by a court of mass murder in Gujarat ascended to power in India without eliciting any action [from the watchdog].”

) Who exactly was convicted by a court in India of mass murder in Gujarat who ascended to power in India? I'm really curious to know the name.

 

[Devadwal]

) Who exactly was convicted by a court in India of mass murder in Gujarat who ascended to power in India? I'm really curious to know the name.

Pakistan fake news factory strike yet again lol . don't take them seriously .

 

[globalcitizen]

"BUT"
wonder how long this word will be used let's see

 

[Napa]

What is this we have met 26/27 points argument? Money laundering and financial irregularities have 0 tolerance. This isn’t some unit test in school where someone gets grace marks lol

I don't think Pakistan being on the FATF list is really about money laundering. It is about the Pakistan Army/ISI supporting the Taliban and those who attack security forces in Indian Kashmir. As the US has decided to pull the US Army out of Afghanistan, the remaining leverage it has over Pakistan is economic. It would not want to lose that leverage by letting Pakistan get out of the FATF grey list.

 

[MenInG]

India finally on Sunday admitted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government "ensured" that Pakistan remained on the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), ANI news agency quoted External Affairs Minister (MEA) S Jaishankar as saying.

“Due to us, Pakistan is under the lens of FATF and it was kept in the grey list," Jaishankar said while addressing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders.

Jaishankar claimed that India was successful in "pressurising" the neighbouring country via the FATF, saying that Pakistan "changed" its behaviour due to the measures taken by the Modi government.

Modi made "personal efforts on global forums like G7 and G20 to keep Pakistan on the list, ANI also quoted the Indian minister as saying.

Also read: FATF retains Pakistan on its grey list

Last month, the FATF -- the global body working to combat the financing of terrorism and money laundering -- retained Pakistan on its grey list despite the country meeting 26 of the 27 conditions and handed it over a new six-point action plan, keeping Islamabad exposed to global pressure tactics.

However, the FATF noted that Pakistan had completed all but one of the 27 items in the action plan and it had decided to keep it under “increased monitoring”.

“The FATF encourages Pakistan to continue to make progress to address as soon as possible the one remaining CFT [combating the financing of terrorism]-related item by demonstrating that TF [terror financing] investigations and prosecutions target senior leaders and commanders of UN-designated terrorist groups,” according to the global body.

The remaining action item was the most significant among all in the view of the member countries including the US and India, which have circled Pakistan through the FATF platform.

Pakistan had been placed at the FATF grey list with effect from June 2018 and was asked to implement a 27-point action plan to exit the grey list.

The FATF president noted that since June 2018, when Pakistan made a high-level political commitment to work with it and its Asia/Pacific Group (APG) to strengthen its anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regime and to address its deficiencies, Islamabad had made significant progress on the global watchdog’s action plan.

“The FATF recognises Pakistan’s progress and efforts to address these CFT action plan items,” he added.

“[The FATF] notes that since February 2021, Pakistan has made progress to complete two of the three remaining action items on demonstrating that effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions are imposed for TF convictions and that [country’s] targeted financial sanctions regime was being used effectively to targeted terrorist assets,” he added.

New action plan

In response to additional deficiencies later identified in Pakistan’s 2019 APG Mutual Evaluation Report (MER), Pakistan has made progress to address a number of the recommended actions in the MER and provided further high-level commitment in June 2021 to address these strategic deficiencies pursuant to a new action plan, according to the FATF.

It said that the new action plan primarily focuses on combating money laundering.

“Pakistan should continue to work to address its strategically important AML/CFT deficiencies by enhancing international cooperation by amending the Mutual Legal Assistance law.”

Pakistan has also been asked to demonstrate that assistance is being sought from foreign countries in implementing UNSCR 1373 designations; demonstrate that supervisors were conducting both on-site and off-site supervision commensurate with specific risks associated with designated non-financial businesses and persons (DNFBPs), including applying appropriate sanctions where necessary.

Pakistan has suffered a staggering economic loss of $38 billion because of the FATF’s decision of retaining the country on its grey list since 2008, according to a new research paper published by an independent think-tank, Tabadlab.

The paper, “Bearing the cost of global politics -- the impact of FATF grey-listing on Pakistan’s economy”, has been written by Dr Naafey Sardar.

After the FATF's decision, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had said that India was attempting to use the FATF for political purposes, but Pakistan would foil such nefarious designs.

According to the minister, a technical forum like FATF should not be used for political interests. Qureshi highlighted that he raised the concern during his talks with counterparts of different countries.

The minister further said that Pakistan would continue to make efforts to prevent money laundering as well as terror financing as per its own interest.

Pakistan, he said, implemented the programme given by the international task force despite the fact that it was a quite difficult one.

He apprised that in addition to the new legislation, Pakistan amended 14 laws and took administrative steps.

 

[cric_man]

India finally on Sunday admitted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government "ensured" that Pakistan remained on the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), ANI news agency quoted External Affairs Minister (MEA) S Jaishankar as saying.

“Due to us, Pakistan is under the lens of FATF and it was kept in the grey list," Jaishankar said while addressing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders.

Jaishankar claimed that India was successful in "pressurising" the neighbouring country via the FATF, saying that Pakistan "changed" its behaviour due to the measures taken by the Modi government.

Modi made "personal efforts on global forums like G7 and G20 to keep Pakistan on the list, ANI also quoted the Indian minister as saying.

Also read: FATF retains Pakistan on its grey list

Last month, the FATF -- the global body working to combat the financing of terrorism and money laundering -- retained Pakistan on its grey list despite the country meeting 26 of the 27 conditions and handed it over a new six-point action plan, keeping Islamabad exposed to global pressure tactics.

However, the FATF noted that Pakistan had completed all but one of the 27 items in the action plan and it had decided to keep it under “increased monitoring”.

“The FATF encourages Pakistan to continue to make progress to address as soon as possible the one remaining CFT [combating the financing of terrorism]-related item by demonstrating that TF [terror financing] investigations and prosecutions target senior leaders and commanders of UN-designated terrorist groups,” according to the global body.

The remaining action item was the most significant among all in the view of the member countries including the US and India, which have circled Pakistan through the FATF platform.

Pakistan had been placed at the FATF grey list with effect from June 2018 and was asked to implement a 27-point action plan to exit the grey list.

The FATF president noted that since June 2018, when Pakistan made a high-level political commitment to work with it and its Asia/Pacific Group (APG) to strengthen its anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regime and to address its deficiencies, Islamabad had made significant progress on the global watchdog’s action plan.

“The FATF recognises Pakistan’s progress and efforts to address these CFT action plan items,” he added.

“[The FATF] notes that since February 2021, Pakistan has made progress to complete two of the three remaining action items on demonstrating that effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions are imposed for TF convictions and that [country’s] targeted financial sanctions regime was being used effectively to targeted terrorist assets,” he added.

New action plan

In response to additional deficiencies later identified in Pakistan’s 2019 APG Mutual Evaluation Report (MER), Pakistan has made progress to address a number of the recommended actions in the MER and provided further high-level commitment in June 2021 to address these strategic deficiencies pursuant to a new action plan, according to the FATF.

It said that the new action plan primarily focuses on combating money laundering.

“Pakistan should continue to work to address its strategically important AML/CFT deficiencies by enhancing international cooperation by amending the Mutual Legal Assistance law.”

Pakistan has also been asked to demonstrate that assistance is being sought from foreign countries in implementing UNSCR 1373 designations; demonstrate that supervisors were conducting both on-site and off-site supervision commensurate with specific risks associated with designated non-financial businesses and persons (DNFBPs), including applying appropriate sanctions where necessary.

Pakistan has suffered a staggering economic loss of $38 billion because of the FATF’s decision of retaining the country on its grey list since 2008, according to a new research paper published by an independent think-tank, Tabadlab.

The paper, “Bearing the cost of global politics -- the impact of FATF grey-listing on Pakistan’s economy”, has been written by Dr Naafey Sardar.

After the FATF's decision, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had said that India was attempting to use the FATF for political purposes, but Pakistan would foil such nefarious designs.

According to the minister, a technical forum like FATF should not be used for political interests. Qureshi highlighted that he raised the concern during his talks with counterparts of different countries.

The minister further said that Pakistan would continue to make efforts to prevent money laundering as well as terror financing as per its own interest.

Pakistan, he said, implemented the programme given by the international task force despite the fact that it was a quite difficult one.

He apprised that in addition to the new legislation, Pakistan amended 14 laws and took administrative steps.

Not much of a surprise. We know this is a political agenda at play. If Pakistan complies with the 27th deficiency, something else will be found. However Jaishankar maybe over stating India's influence. They did play a part of course, but it was mostly done by the US.
Shame on Pakistan, for letting it happen. It shows how much our influence amongst our friends such as Saudi Arabia/UAE has waned that they allowed us to be put on the grey list. All Pakistan can do is make progress and do its best to rebuild the image and comply to get off. It also needs to remember what was done by whom, so the favor can be returned in kind when you are in the position to do so.

 

[Local.Dada]

All Pakistan can do is make progress and do its best to rebuild the image and comply to get off.

That is not not something that has to be done because of this situation, that is something that has to be done regardless of any situation.

 

[cric_man]

That is not not something that has to be done because of this situation, that is something that has to be done regardless of any situation.

Had Pakistan agreed to do what was asked by the US vis a vis Afg, this would have gone away. Now expect new objections/deficiencies to pop up as well. Moving goal posts

 

[King_Kohli]

Jaishankar's statement on FATF exposes 'true colours' of India: Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) on Monday slammed India’s statement on the reasoning behind Pakistan remaining on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), saying that it exposes the “true colours” of New Delhi and vindicates Islamabad’s stance.

“Indian statement not only exposes its true colors but also vindicates Pakistan’s longstanding stance on India’s negative role in FATF,” said FO Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri after Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar admitted that Pakistan is on the FATF grey list because of the "efforts of Narendra Modi's government.".

The spokesperson reminded that Islamabad has always been highlighting India’s role to the international community in the politicisation of the FATF and undermining its processes. It added that the recent statement by the Indian foreign minister was “just a 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,” said the FO spokesperson.

The statement said that Islamabad has been “exposing India’s duplicitous role to the international community in the past” and vowed that it will also bring the “recent confession by India” to the FATF’s notice.

“Pakistan is also considering approaching FATF president for an 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,” said Chaudhri.

The FO spokesperson reiterated that Pakistan’s progress in AML/CFT domain has been “demonstrated through concrete, tangible and verifiable actions” which was also “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,” said Chaudhri. He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the AML/CFT systems.

'India made sure Pakistan stays on FATF grey list'
On Sunday, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar admitted that Pakistan is on the grey list of the FATF because of the "efforts of Narendra Modi's government."

According to a report published by The Print, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar credited the Modi-led government for its "efforts" to ensure that FATF kept Pakistan on the grey list.

The minister issued the statement while addressing BJP leaders’ training programme on the foreign policy of the government via video link, the outlet said.

“FATF as all of you know keep a check on fundings for terrorism and deals with black money supporting terrorism. Due to us, Pakistan is under the lens of FATF and it was kept [on] the grey list. We have been successful in pressurising Pakistan and the fact that Pakistan’s behaviour has changed is because of pressure put by India by various measures. Also terrorists from LeT and Jaish, India’s efforts through UN, have come under sanctions,” Jaishankar reportedly told the leaders, according to The Print.

It should be recalled that on June 25, the FATF had said that it recognises Pakistan's progress and efforts to address items in its country action plan that pertain to combating the financing of terrorism and has encouraged it to continue progress and address as soon as possible "the one remaining CFT-related item".

It had also handed the government six new anti-money laundering areas to work on.

Addressing a press conference after the June 21-25 plenary meeting concluded in Paris, FATF President Dr Marcus Pleyer had said that Pakistan remains under "increased monitoring".

"The Pakistani government has made substantial progress in making its counter-terrorist financing systems stronger and more effective. It has largely addressed 26 out of 27 items on the action plan it first committed to in June 2018," he said.

Dr Pleyer had said that the plan focused on terrorist financing issues.

He had said that the one key action item still needs to be completed "which concerns the investigation and prosecution of senior leaders and commanders of UN-designated terror groups".

The FATF president highlighted that Pakistan has "made improvements" after the Asia Pacific Group highlighted issues in 2019 during its assessment of Pakistan's entire anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing system.

"These include clear efforts to raise awareness in the private sector to Pakistan's money laundering risks and to develop and use financial intelligence to build a case.

"However Pakistan is still failing to effectively implement the global FATF standards across a number of areas. This means the risks of money laundering remain high which in turn can fuel corruption and organised crime."

https://www.geo.tv/latest/360750-indias-statement-on-fatf-exposes-true-colours-of-new-delhi-fo

 

[UzmanBeast]

It will be difficult, but Pakistan needs to make sure that they get off of this FATF Grey List as soon as possible.

Leave India to do what they are doing at the moment, because once we have met the requirements, there can be no way to hold us on that list.

Afterwards, we can then sort out this issue with India. Right now is the time to focus on our economy and how to expand our economic growth to new heights.

 

[Napa]

Leave India to do what they are doing at the moment, because once we have met the requirements, there can be no way to hold us on that list.

Whether the requirements have been made is a judgement call made by the member countries. I think there are enough countries at the moment (like the US, European and India) which want Pakistan to remain under pressure. Pakistan can believe it has met all conditions, but other countries can simply say it hasn't. There isn't any neutral judicial system to judge.

The US used to get Pakistan's cooperation against terrorism by giving military and other aid. Now that has been stopped, so the leverage is economic. Pakistan's economy is in shambles with IK likely to lose the elections unless inflation is controlled. The Pakistani Army also realizes that the economy it dominates is worth less to it if it remains underdeveloped. Hence Gen Bajwa made some noises about peace with India a year ago. See how far Pakistan's per cap GDP has fallen behind Bangladesh and India the last couple of decades.

Right now is the time to focus on our economy and how to expand our economic growth to new heights.

There is only one way to develop the economy and that is to grow modern industries. IK has made zero progress in that front. You can track the development of modern industries simply by looking at the composition of exports.

https://www.worldstopexports.com/pakistans-top-10-exports/

 

[cricketjoshila]

Jaishankar's statement on FATF exposes 'true colours' of India: Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) on Monday slammed India’s statement on the reasoning behind Pakistan remaining on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), saying that it exposes the “true colours” of New Delhi and vindicates Islamabad’s stance.

“Indian statement not only exposes its true colors but also vindicates Pakistan’s longstanding stance on India’s negative role in FATF,” said FO Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri after Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar admitted that Pakistan is on the FATF grey list because of the "efforts of Narendra Modi's government.".

The spokesperson reminded that Islamabad has always been highlighting India’s role to the international community in the politicisation of the FATF and undermining its processes. It added that the recent statement by the Indian foreign minister was “just a 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,” said the FO spokesperson.

The statement said that Islamabad has been “exposing India’s duplicitous role to the international community in the past” and vowed that it will also bring the “recent confession by India” to the FATF’s notice.

“Pakistan is also considering approaching FATF president for an 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,” said Chaudhri.

The FO spokesperson reiterated that Pakistan’s progress in AML/CFT domain has been “demonstrated through concrete, tangible and verifiable actions” which was also “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,” said Chaudhri. He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the AML/CFT systems.

'India made sure Pakistan stays on FATF grey list'
On Sunday, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar admitted that Pakistan is on the grey list of the FATF because of the "efforts of Narendra Modi's government."

According to a report published by The Print, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar credited the Modi-led government for its "efforts" to ensure that FATF kept Pakistan on the grey list.

The minister issued the statement while addressing BJP leaders’ training programme on the foreign policy of the government via video link, the outlet said.

“FATF as all of you know keep a check on fundings for terrorism and deals with black money supporting terrorism. Due to us, Pakistan is under the lens of FATF and it was kept [on] the grey list. We have been successful in pressurising Pakistan and the fact that Pakistan’s behaviour has changed is because of pressure put by India by various measures. Also terrorists from LeT and Jaish, India’s efforts through UN, have come under sanctions,” Jaishankar reportedly told the leaders, according to The Print.

It should be recalled that on June 25, the FATF had said that it recognises Pakistan's progress and efforts to address items in its country action plan that pertain to combating the financing of terrorism and has encouraged it to continue progress and address as soon as possible "the one remaining CFT-related item".

It had also handed the government six new anti-money laundering areas to work on.

Addressing a press conference after the June 21-25 plenary meeting concluded in Paris, FATF President Dr Marcus Pleyer had said that Pakistan remains under "increased monitoring".

"The Pakistani government has made substantial progress in making its counter-terrorist financing systems stronger and more effective. It has largely addressed 26 out of 27 items on the action plan it first committed to in June 2018," he said.

Dr Pleyer had said that the plan focused on terrorist financing issues.

He had said that the one key action item still needs to be completed "which concerns the investigation and prosecution of senior leaders and commanders of UN-designated terror groups".

The FATF president highlighted that Pakistan has "made improvements" after the Asia Pacific Group highlighted issues in 2019 during its assessment of Pakistan's entire anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing system.

"These include clear efforts to raise awareness in the private sector to Pakistan's money laundering risks and to develop and use financial intelligence to build a case.

"However Pakistan is still failing to effectively implement the global FATF standards across a number of areas. This means the risks of money laundering remain high which in turn can fuel corruption and organised crime."

https://www.geo.tv/latest/360750-indias-statement-on-fatf-exposes-true-colours-of-new-delhi-fo

India as a member of FATF has every right to have its opinion.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Whether the requirements have been made is a judgement call made by the member countries. I think there are enough countries at the moment (like the US, European and India) which want Pakistan to remain under pressure. Pakistan can believe it has met all conditions, but other countries can simply say it hasn't. There isn't any neutral judicial system to judge.

The US used to get Pakistan's cooperation against terrorism by giving military and other aid. Now that has been stopped, so the leverage is economic. Pakistan's economy is in shambles with IK likely to lose the elections unless inflation is controlled. The Pakistani Army also realizes that the economy it dominates is worth less to it if it remains underdeveloped. Hence Gen Bajwa made some noises about peace with India a year ago. See how far Pakistan's per cap GDP has fallen behind Bangladesh and India the last couple of decades.

View attachment 110515



There is only one way to develop the economy and that is to grow modern industries. IK has made zero progress in that front. You can track the development of modern industries simply by looking at the composition of exports.

https://www.worldstopexports.com/pakistans-top-10-exports/

I agree, however, it is also important to notice that the political situation Pakistan is placed in is not ideal.

Before the pandemic, there were genuine signs that the economy was headed in the right place, so I will say that Imran Khan was a bit unlucky, but that does not give him any sympathy over the lack of investment made by the government in modern institutions and industries.

Now, Pakistan's political situation is horrific, to say the least. Afghanistan pulling out their diplomats means that they are no longer interested in receiving our help, which wouldn't have happened as we maintained a neutral stance on the issue. With the Taliban likely to take over, and given that Pakistan took time to understand the thoughts of the group, I don't think that we would have a huge problem on the western border apart from Taliban forces trying to cross and expand operations.

India keeping us on the FATF grey list seems like a bluff to me, because I largely think that the US was responsible for it.

After their departure from Afghanistan, the US has no leverage over Pakistan, and for the supposed "world's most powerful nation", it is a loss when they cannot force another weaker country into their bidding. Furthermore, IK's stance towards the US might appear as a bit hostile and shows non-compliance, and so, the US would want some economic leverage over Pakistan's growth.

That being said, I can already see a narrative being sprung in the United States that since Pakistan was involved in peace talks between the US and the Taliban, and since we didn't let the US utilize our air-space and land to carry out counter-terrorist strikes, the assumption is that we support the Taliban when in reality, we are trying to avoid any conflict which could damage our economy.

Now, in terms of the economy, Pakistan needs to understand that our priority is what lies within our own border. Kashmir is unlikely to be a place of dispute given that China is breathing down India's back, so we need to let go of this paranoia. We need to completely shut out all of the noise in the political realm and focus on our internal affairs.

It begins with becoming a ghost in the political arena and striving to get the economy back on its feet. With a growing economy, a lot of pressure is reduced, and eventually, life does get better for the citizens. We need to become more export-oriented and establish trade with countries apart from China. It would also need investment in areas such as technology, manufacturing, and more.

We have a long way to go, and we are in a position where we need to put our heads down and look at what we can change in front of us.

 

[UzmanBeast]

India as a member of FATF has every right to have its opinion.

Yes, India has the right to an opinion regardless of the political situation.

Pakistan needs to understand this and focus on the economical side of the situation, and needs to show compliance with the FATF standards.

If there is clear evidence that the FATF standards have been met, there is no reason for anyone to press for us to stay on the grey list, and if they do, it will be at that point where we can justify that it is a biased political decision.

For now, there are clear deficiencies highlighted which should be worked on.

With regards to Pakistan's stance on India, I think it's high time Pakistan lets go of spinning narratives and shining light on India every other day and instead focuses these resources on the economy.

No offense to you or anyone, but as a Pakistani, I don't think India is our priority and nor should it be in the near future. If our government has any iota of sense, they will understand that we don't have time to waste on making petty statements. Such issues can be resolved once other urgent situations are taken care of.

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABADeaders from across the political spectrum on Monday lashed out at India for its admission that the Narendra Modi-led government had ensured Pakistan remained on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.

Taking to the social media, they also called for the global anti-money laundering watchdog to issue a clarification over "India's admission", which was seen as a vindication of Pakistan's longstanding stance that New Delhi had politicised the FATF and "interfered in the workings of a technical forum".

A day earlier, India's Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar said the Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government had ensured that Pakistan remained on the FATF 'grey list', Hindustan Times reported.

Commenting on the admission, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan "consistently maintained" that India had politicised FATF and the recent Indian statement had made clear their ill will.

"Manipulating an important technical forum for narrow political designs against Pakistan is disgraceful but not surprising for the Modi government," he tweeted.

Federal Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar maintained that Jaishankar’s statement "only confirms what Pakistan has been saying all along; India actively politicises & undermines the technical processes and spirit of FATF".

He noted that Pakistan's progress in fulfilling the FATF's action plan items was "undeniable" and it would soon complete its action plans.

Federal Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari said that the Modi-led government's "frustration at its failed Pak[istan] policies" had pushed it to "acts of desperation".

She observed that the statement by the Indian foreign minister proved India was trying to "destroy [the] credibility" of international institutions like FATF by seeking to "undermine its technical working through political machinations".

"India's membership of the FATF becomes a 'question mark' under the Modi[-led] government's funding of terrorism in the neighbourhood," she tweeted.

Taking a jibe at the Modi-led government, Minister for Shipping and Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi asked: "So is India influencing the world’s anti-money laundering task force?"

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif maintained that India's admission raised "serious questions on the integrity of FATF's decision-making process".

"The watchdog must clarify that it is not being used against Pakistan at the behest of others!" Shehbaz said.

 

[Napa]

I agree, however, it is also important to notice that the political situation Pakistan is placed in is not ideal.

Before the pandemic, there were genuine signs that the economy was headed in the right place, so I will say that Imran Khan was a bit unlucky, but that does not give him any sympathy over the lack of investment made by the government in modern institutions and industries.

Now, Pakistan's political situation is horrific, to say the least. Afghanistan pulling out their diplomats means that they are no longer interested in receiving our help, which wouldn't have happened as we maintained a neutral stance on the issue. With the Taliban likely to take over, and given that Pakistan took time to understand the thoughts of the group, I don't think that we would have a huge problem on the western border apart from Taliban forces trying to cross and expand operations.

India keeping us on the FATF grey list seems like a bluff to me, because I largely think that the US was responsible for it.

After their departure from Afghanistan, the US has no leverage over Pakistan, and for the supposed "world's most powerful nation", it is a loss when they cannot force another weaker country into their bidding. Furthermore, IK's stance towards the US might appear as a bit hostile and shows non-compliance, and so, the US would want some economic leverage over Pakistan's growth.

That being said, I can already see a narrative being sprung in the United States that since Pakistan was involved in peace talks between the US and the Taliban, and since we didn't let the US utilize our air-space and land to carry out counter-terrorist strikes, the assumption is that we support the Taliban when in reality, we are trying to avoid any conflict which could damage our economy.

Now, in terms of the economy, Pakistan needs to understand that our priority is what lies within our own border. Kashmir is unlikely to be a place of dispute given that China is breathing down India's back, so we need to let go of this paranoia. We need to completely shut out all of the noise in the political realm and focus on our internal affairs.

It begins with becoming a ghost in the political arena and striving to get the economy back on its feet. With a growing economy, a lot of pressure is reduced, and eventually, life does get better for the citizens. We need to become more export-oriented and establish trade with countries apart from China. It would also need investment in areas such as technology, manufacturing, and more.

We have a long way to go, and we are in a position where we need to put our heads down and look at what we can change in front of us.

While I respect your opinions, I think you are giving too little importance to the fact that the image Pakistan has created of itself precludes investments by Western multinationals which is critical for the growth of modern industries.

These multinationals have many options for their investments, the dozen East Asian countries, Bangladesh, Mexico, India etc.

When most discussions about the Taliban also include mention of Pakistan, it creates a negative impression. When people on a boat attack Mumbai and target Jews and Westerners in addition to Indians and the mastermind of this attack Hafiz Saeed, designated a terrorist by the U.S. Justice Department with a $10 million bounty on his head, openly lives with government protection in Lahore, it becomes very clear that the Pakistani establishment regards terrorist organizations as assets.

Pakistan needs fundamental changes to get on the path of prosperity. For at least 20 years the ISI has played a double game in Afghanistan, on one hand claiming to support the US, while arming the Haqqani network with kills US soldiers. While some US Presidents like Bush and Obama may ignore this double game for the reasons of exigency, the fact remains that it creates a very negative image of Pakistan.

If Pakistan wants FDI from Western multinationals, its Army/ISI needs to stop believing that it can keep playing the sort of double games it played with the US and the Haqqani network. Like I said, there are many alternative destinations for the FDI.

Chinese FDI won't improve Pakistan's economy, the CEPC is largely a sale of Chinese infrastructure to Pakistan, rather than the setting up of export industries that result from Western FDI.

Your post is well written. Though I think you are ignoring the most important issue needed for Pakistan's development, if enough of your countrymen are able to think as well as you do then your country will indeed progress.

 

[MenInG]

The US has said it recognises and supports Pakistan's continued efforts to meet the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) requirements, and acknowledges that the latter has made "significant progress" on the international watchdog's original action plan agreed in June 2018.

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price made these remarks during a press briefing on Monday while answering a question about Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood accusing India of politicising the FATF to ensure that Pakistan remained on the watchdog's increased monitoring list, also known as the grey list.

"Well, you’re referring to Pakistan’s obligations under the Financial Action Task Force, and we do recognise, and we support Pakistan’s continued efforts to satisfy those obligations. Pakistan has made significant progress on its first action plan with 26 of 27 action items largely addressed," said Price.

He added that the US would "encourage Pakistan to continue working with the FATF and the international community to swiftly complete the remaining action item by demonstrating that terrorism financing, investigations, and prosecutions target senior leaders and commanders of UN-designated groups."

"We do further encourage Pakistan to expeditiously implement its new second action plan," he said.

The statement came a day after Hindustan Times quoted India's Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar as saying that the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) government led by Narendra Modi had ensured that Pakistan remained on the FATF's grey list.

“Due to us, Pakistan is under the lens of FATF and it was kept in the grey list," Jaishankar had said while addressing a virtual training programme on foreign policy for BJP leaders, according to the Hindustan Times.

“We have been successful in pressurising Pakistan and the fact that Pakistan's behaviour has changed is because of pressure put by India by various measures,” the report further quoted him as saying.

Reacting to these remarks, Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO) issued a statement on Monday, saying that the Indian foreign minister's statement had vindicated Pakistan's longstanding stance on "India's negative role" in the global financial watchdog.

The FO said the Indian foreign minister's statement had exposed India's "true colours" and "duplicitous" role.

"Pakistan has always been highlighting to the international community the politicisation 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," the statement by the FO added.

The FATF had announced on June 25 that Pakistan would continue to remain on the watchdog's increased monitoring list till it addressed the single remaining item on the original action plan agreed to in June 2018 as well as all items on a parallel action plan handed out by the watchdog's regional partner — the Asia Pacific Group — in 2019.

The addition of a new action plan alongside the original one, which Pakistan had completed except for one agenda item, had raised eyebrows among analysts and observers, who had said the goalpost was being shifted for Pakistan despite its high level of compliance.

Last month, Foreign Minister Qureshi had said that India wanted to use the FATF forum for "political purposes" but should not be allowed to do so.

Similarly, Federal Energy Hammad Azhar had also hit out at India, saying its face had been "badly unveiled" and it had "overplayed its hand", because of which everyone now knew that it had one purpose – to politicise the FATF.

"I think India's thoughts and politicisation efforts there [in the forum] are losing weight with time because they have become so visible," he had said.

Earlier this year, the FO had criticised India for linking a conviction of banned Lashkar-e-Taiba leader Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi with the FATF, terming it "yet another Indian attempt to politicise FATF and use its processes against Pakistan".

The FATF had formally placed Pakistan on its grey list in June 2018 due to strategic deficiencies in its anti-money laundering/counter-terror financing regime after a push from India supported by the US, the UK and some European countries.

DAWN

 

[UzmanBeast]

While I respect your opinions, I think you are giving too little importance to the fact that the image Pakistan has created of itself precludes investments by Western multinationals which is critical for the growth of modern industries.

These multinationals have many options for their investments, the dozen East Asian countries, Bangladesh, Mexico, India etc.

When most discussions about the Taliban also include mention of Pakistan, it creates a negative impression. When people on a boat attack Mumbai and target Jews and Westerners in addition to Indians and the mastermind of this attack Hafiz Saeed, designated a terrorist by the U.S. Justice Department with a $10 million bounty on his head, openly lives with government protection in Lahore, it becomes very clear that the Pakistani establishment regards terrorist organizations as assets.

Pakistan needs fundamental changes to get on the path of prosperity. For at least 20 years the ISI has played a double game in Afghanistan, on one hand claiming to support the US, while arming the Haqqani network with kills US soldiers. While some US Presidents like Bush and Obama may ignore this double game for the reasons of exigency, the fact remains that it creates a very negative image of Pakistan.

If Pakistan wants FDI from Western multinationals, its Army/ISI needs to stop believing that it can keep playing the sort of double games it played with the US and the Haqqani network. Like I said, there are many alternative destinations for the FDI.

Chinese FDI won't improve Pakistan's economy, the CEPC is largely a sale of Chinese infrastructure to Pakistan, rather than the setting up of export industries that result from Western FDI.

Your post is well written. Though I think you are ignoring the most important issue needed for Pakistan's development, if enough of your countrymen are able to think as well as you do then your country will indeed progress.

I agree, Pakistan is clearly responsible for the negative image that the West believes, and it is through these back-room deals and games that the West becomes apprehensive of whether or not to have any relations with Pakistan.

I also think a lot of it depends on believability. Right now, nobody would believe Pakistan if they said something about RAW interfering with internal affairs, because we have lost such credibility by harboring terrorists and letting them stay free. If such terrorists are treated like the filth they are, the West will be one of the first to congratulate our efforts, I can tell you that. Nothing would make the US happier than seeing Pakistan taking strict action against terrorist organizations and ending such unnecessary ties with terrorist groups, which you said, are viewed as assets.

Personally, I do think that Pakistan has, and might still be using terrorists as an asset to starting conflicts with India and Afghanistan. I also think that we either have or are still harboring terrorist groups for reasons I cannot comprehend. My personal beliefs are that there have been deals made with such terrorist groups to the point where governments can't back out due to the fear of what might happen.

But, I do believe that Pakistan's relationship with the western world can be much better than it is now, but the ball is in our court. If we can meet the demands and expectations of the West, I can guarantee you that there will be some revival towards relations, and it will be great for us as a way to expand our economy. The West sides with India, and in most situations, they are completely right to do so. There is only one thing that can sway the masses, and it is undisputable evidence that we are serious about conducting anti-terrorism activities and that we are ready to accept the standards the western world sets for countries they would be willing to trade with.

Our first steps should be to get rid of internationally recognized terrorists like Hafiz Saeed to send a strong message that we are serious about fighting terrorism. We can then try and successfully meet all the requirements of the FATF to get off that grey list, which will help us develop relations with other nations. Pakistan needs to realize that it has no leverage over anything that goes on in the West, and in such situations, it is important to keep your head down and do what is necessary to please the western world, because that is where the bulk of investment will come from, inviting economic growth.

 

[UzmanBeast]

The US has said it recognises and supports Pakistan's continued efforts to meet the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) requirements, and acknowledges that the latter has made "significant progress" on the international watchdog's original action plan agreed in June 2018.

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price made these remarks during a press briefing on Monday while answering a question about Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood accusing India of politicising the FATF to ensure that Pakistan remained on the watchdog's increased monitoring list, also known as the grey list.

"Well, you’re referring to Pakistan’s obligations under the Financial Action Task Force, and we do recognise, and we support Pakistan’s continued efforts to satisfy those obligations. Pakistan has made significant progress on its first action plan with 26 of 27 action items largely addressed," said Price.

He added that the US would "encourage Pakistan to continue working with the FATF and the international community to swiftly complete the remaining action item by demonstrating that terrorism financing, investigations, and prosecutions target senior leaders and commanders of UN-designated groups."

"We do further encourage Pakistan to expeditiously implement its new second action plan," he said.

The statement came a day after Hindustan Times quoted India's Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar as saying that the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) government led by Narendra Modi had ensured that Pakistan remained on the FATF's grey list.

“Due to us, Pakistan is under the lens of FATF and it was kept in the grey list," Jaishankar had said while addressing a virtual training programme on foreign policy for BJP leaders, according to the Hindustan Times.

“We have been successful in pressurising Pakistan and the fact that Pakistan's behaviour has changed is because of pressure put by India by various measures,” the report further quoted him as saying.

Reacting to these remarks, Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO) issued a statement on Monday, saying that the Indian foreign minister's statement had vindicated Pakistan's longstanding stance on "India's negative role" in the global financial watchdog.

The FO said the Indian foreign minister's statement had exposed India's "true colours" and "duplicitous" role.

"Pakistan has always been highlighting to the international community the politicisation 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," the statement by the FO added.

The FATF had announced on June 25 that Pakistan would continue to remain on the watchdog's increased monitoring list till it addressed the single remaining item on the original action plan agreed to in June 2018 as well as all items on a parallel action plan handed out by the watchdog's regional partner — the Asia Pacific Group — in 2019.

The addition of a new action plan alongside the original one, which Pakistan had completed except for one agenda item, had raised eyebrows among analysts and observers, who had said the goalpost was being shifted for Pakistan despite its high level of compliance.

Last month, Foreign Minister Qureshi had said that India wanted to use the FATF forum for "political purposes" but should not be allowed to do so.

Similarly, Federal Energy Hammad Azhar had also hit out at India, saying its face had been "badly unveiled" and it had "overplayed its hand", because of which everyone now knew that it had one purpose – to politicise the FATF.

"I think India's thoughts and politicisation efforts there [in the forum] are losing weight with time because they have become so visible," he had said.

Earlier this year, the FO had criticised India for linking a conviction of banned Lashkar-e-Taiba leader Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi with the FATF, terming it "yet another Indian attempt to politicise FATF and use its processes against Pakistan".

The FATF had formally placed Pakistan on its grey list in June 2018 due to strategic deficiencies in its anti-money laundering/counter-terror financing regime after a push from India supported by the US, the UK and some European countries.

DAWN

It will be very hard for Pakistan to show progress on counter-terror financing until they get rid of the internationally recognized terrorists in the country (ie. Hafiz Saeed).

 

[MenInG]

Senator Rehman Malik on Tuesday urged the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to investigate Indian influence on its evaluation process in view of India’s admission that the Modi-led government ensured that Pakistan remained on the FATF grey list.

He expressed grave concerns over the global body’s “discriminatory” conduct in evaluating financial terrorism, lamenting that Pakistan was being victimised over trivial conditions while India could go off scot-free.

He pointed out that it seemed that India enjoyed immunity from violating rules in stark contrast to what was being done to Pakistan.

Rehman Malik expressed that despite clear evidence of involvement in terror financing, money laundering, and now even in a heinous crime of nuclear proliferation, India was being spared and no legal action was being initiated against it.

In his presser, he questioned President FATF that why FATF had not investigated the terror financing by India to Daesh?

On Sunday, India had finally admitted that the Narendra Modi government had “ensured” that Pakistan remained on the grey list of the FATF, stirring a sense of distrust and deepening earlier apprehensions that Pakistan was being subjected to unjust treatment.

“Due to us, Pakistan is under the lens of FATF and it was kept in the grey list,” Indian news agency ANI quoted Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar as saying while addressing a virtual training programme on the foreign policy for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders.

“We have been successful in pressuring Pakistan and the fact that its behaviour has changed is because of pressure put by India by various measures,” he added.

Addressing a news conference on Tuesday, the former interior minister urged the incumbent government to approach the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to seek adjudication over the unfair treatment being meted out to Pakistan, particularly after India admitted it held some kind of “sway” over the watchdog’s dealing with Pakistan.

Besides, United Nations should also be asked to probe into the serious claims made by the Indian minister, he suggested.

Commenting on the emerging security situation in the region and recent wave of terrorism, Rehman said he had already warned that there were evident traces of ISIS’ activities in the country. He questioned the government’s implementation of the National Action Plan.

“Where is Pakistan's action plan? There are obvious signatures of India in the recent bomb blast,” he remarked and added that he hoped that the security of Chinese nationals in the country would be bolstered.

He reminded that India had always manoeuvred to sabotage China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and warned that it may try to “do something big” in the near future to put the country’s security and CPEC in jeopardy.

“Narendra Modi should stop playing dirty tricks and exploiting the weak porous borders,” the senator said, alleging that India was training ISIS militants in the region.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

I also think a lot of it depends on believability. Right now, nobody would believe Pakistan if they said something about RAW interfering with internal affairs, because we have lost such credibility by harboring terrorists and letting them stay free. If such terrorists are treated like the filth they are, the West will be one of the first to congratulate our efforts, I can tell you that. Nothing would make the US happier than seeing Pakistan taking strict action against terrorist organizations and ending such unnecessary ties with terrorist groups, which you said, are viewed as assets.

Is that so?

Personally, I do think that Pakistan has, and might still be using terrorists as an asset to starting conflicts with India and Afghanistan. I also think that we either have or are still harboring terrorist groups for reasons I cannot comprehend. My personal beliefs are that there have been deals made with such terrorist groups to the point where governments can't back out due to the fear of what might happen. .

The Afghan Taliban are harbored for geopolitical reasons. Pakistan does not want a regime in Afghanistan which is hostile towards Pakistan, not to mention a regime which has allowed multiple Indian consulates which Pakistan believes are causing terrorism in Pakistan. Had Afghanistan taken into account Pakistan concerns then things perhaps would be different now. Unfortunately for Afghanistan the world has forsaken them.

But, I do believe that Pakistan's relationship with the western world can be much better than it is now, but the ball is in our court. If we can meet the demands and expectations of the West, I can guarantee you that there will be some revival towards relations, and it will be great for us as a way to expand our economy. The West sides with India, and in most situations, they are completely right to do so. There is only one thing that can sway the masses, and it is undisputable evidence that we are serious about conducting anti-terrorism activities and that we are ready to accept the standards the western world sets for countries they would be willing to trade with.

Economy will expand when the business climate is improved. Regulations, and red tape are cut. State run enterprises are privatized. When the country moves towards wealth creation instead of begging for money.

Our first steps should be to get rid of internationally recognized terrorists like Hafiz Saeed to send a strong message that we are serious about fighting terrorism. We can then try and successfully meet all the requirements of the FATF to get off that grey list, which will help us develop relations with other nations. Pakistan needs to realize that it has no leverage over anything that goes on in the West, and in such situations, it is important to keep your head down and do what is necessary to please the western world, because that is where the bulk of investment will come from, inviting economic growth.

Imran Khan has stated the days of "do more" are over. Imran Khan has stated Pakistan wont fight someone else's war again.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Is that so?



The Afghan Taliban are harbored for geopolitical reasons. Pakistan does not want a regime in Afghanistan which is hostile towards Pakistan, not to mention a regime which has allowed multiple Indian consulates which Pakistan believes are causing terrorism in Pakistan. Had Afghanistan taken into account Pakistan concerns then things perhaps would be different now. Unfortunately for Afghanistan the world has forsaken them.



Economy will expand when the business climate is improved. Regulations, and red tape are cut. State run enterprises are privatized. When the country moves towards wealth creation instead of begging for money.



Imran Khan has stated the days of "do more" are over. Imran Khan has stated Pakistan wont fight someone else's war again.

There is no logical reason to harbor terrorists, both you and I know that.

Do you really think that Pakistan's economy is that strong, to the point where just a few regulations are holding us back? Why do you think the business climate is awful: nobody wants to do business with a country harboring terrorists.

I don't care what Imran Khan says, he is being foolish by continuing to fall to the pressure of the military and not getting rid of such terrorists. Whether he admits it or not, the western world is where the business and investment are. They couldn't care less about where to invest if Pakistan is not being compliant, you have countries like India, Bangladesh, etc. who are more than willing to do business.

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD: The Asia Pacific Group (APG) on Money Laundering has improved Pakistan’s rating on four more of the 40 technical recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) against money laundering and terror financing (AML/CFT) but retained it on ‘Enhanced Follow up’ to meet the outstanding requirements.

“Pakistan has 35 recommendations rated compliant or largely compliant (C/LC). Pakistan will remain on enhanced follow-up, and will continue to report back to APG on progress to strengthen its implementation of AML/CFT measures,” announced APG, a regional affiliate of the Paris-based FATF.

Overall, Pakistan is now fully ‘compliant’ with eight recommendations and ‘largely compliant’ with 27 others, according to third Follow-Up Report (FUR) on Mutual Evaluation of Pakistan released by APG. The re-rating to compliant status was one-notch up and three others on largely compliant status.

The country is ‘partially compliant’ with three recommendations compared to seven in June this year and ‘non-compliant’ with two (unchanged against June) out of total 40 recommendations. All in all, Pakistan is now compliant or largely compliant with 35 out of 40 recommendations of the FATF.

“Pakistan has made good progress in addressing the technical compliance deficiencies identified in its Mutual Evaluation Report (MER) and has been re-rated on R.10, R.18, R.26 and R.34,” the APG said.

As such, Pakistan showed satisfactory progress on one recommendation and upgraded to be compliant. This re-rating came about as Pakistan introduced comprehensive AML/CFT obligations for Central Directorate of National Savings (CDNS) and the entities that provide the financial activities previously provided by Pakistan Post are subject to the same AML/CFT obligations as other SBP and SECP regulated persons. Microfinance Banks (MFBs) and Exchange Companies (ECs) are also now subject to the same AML/CFT obligations as other SBP regulated persons.

Likewise, on three counts where Pakistan was re-rated to ‘largely compliant’ status from ‘partially compliant’ pertained to recommendations 18, 26 and 34. Recommendation 18 is about screening of staff and employees relating to financial institutions, CDNS, MFBs and ECs etc.

This meant Pakistan also addressed deficiencies with respect to the employee screening requirements for banks and DFIs with new nine provisions in SBP and SECP Regulations. Amendments have been passed in the CDNS and Pakistan Post Regulations to provide enforceable AML/CFT requirements. However, minor deficiencies remain with the SBP Regulation coverage of requirements for financial groups.

On Recommendation 26, the APG noted that deficiencies remained with respect to obligations for financial groups and a lack of explicit provisions for SBP to revise risk assessments of REs or financial groups in response to developments in their management and operations. Gaps will remain with Pakistan Post until the transfer of its business banking has concluded. However, it was re-rated to the category of largely compliant.

Similarly, on R-34, the APG said Pakistan issued a wide range of guidance and conducted feedback sharing sessions with REs to support implementation of their obligations, which largely aligns with ML/TF risk. Minor deficiencies remain with respect to the limited sector specific feedback and guidance issued to lawyers, and with the quality of the red flag indicators issued to REs but was re-rated to largely compliant.

The reporting date for this evaluation was February 1, 2021 which means that Islamabad may have made further progress since then that would be evaluated at a later stage. In February 2021, Pakistan submitted its third progress report, requesting re-ratings for R.10, 18, 26 and 34. The APG welcomed the steps Pakistan had taken to improve its technical compliance with all the four recommendations.

The Ministry of Finance and head of the task force on FATF Hammad Azhar separately welcomed the re-rating saying Pakistan was well placed in technical compliance in comparison to many other countries. For example, if Pakistan’s position is compared against G20 countries, then Pakistan is on the fourth after Italy (38), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (38) and the United Kingdom (38).

“Pakistan is now in the top tier of countries that have achieved a rating of C/LC for over 35 of the 40 FATF Recommendations,” the finance ministry said, adding that the country also achieved the rating of largely compliant or compliant in all the six major recommendations of the FATF. The money laundering offence, terror financing offence, targeted financial sanctions related to terrorism and terrorist financing, customer due diligence, record keeping and reporting of suspicious transactions.

Pakistan would continue this momentum in addressing the remaining gaps identified in the MER-2019 and would seek upgrades in the remaining five recommendations, in the fourth follow-up report, the finance ministry added.

Pakistan’s MER was adopted in August 2019 in which the country was rated compliant and largely complaint in 10 of the 40 FATF recommendations for technical compliance.

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2021

 

[cric_man]

Head of US Delegation to FATF Scott Rembrandt arrives in Pakistan
Three-day visit aimed at discussing the country's action plan agreed with the forum
BR Web Desk 14 Sep 2021

Scott Rembrandt, Head of the US Delegation to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday on a three-day visit aimed at discussing the country's action plan agreed with the forum, reported Aaj News.

Rembrandt also serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Strategic Policy in the Office of Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes at the US Department of the Treasury.

Pakistan to stay on FATF’s ‘grey list’

He is likely to meet Pakistani officials working on the FATF's action plan for the country.

Rembrandt is also expected to discuss Islamabad's progress on the issue of terror financing and money laundering, one of FATF's key concerns.

In July, the US asked Pakistan to expeditiously implement its new second action plan, while recognising Islamabad's efforts in satisfying obligations that would help its case with the FATF.

US encourages Pakistan to expeditiously implement FATF action plan

In June, Pakistan was kept on the FATF's increased monitoring list -- also called the grey list -- after having met 26 of the 27 items on the action plan.

It was also asked to work on "the deficiencies later identified in Pakistan's 2019 Asia Pacific Group (APG) Mutual Evaluation Report (MER)".

Pakistan compliant in 35 out of 40 recommendations in APG action plan

In August, it was reported that Pakistan is now 'compliant' or 'largely compliant' in 35 of the 40 recommendations put forth by the APG, according to the follow-up MER, an upgrade from the previous assessment in which the country met 31 out of the 40 points in the action plan.

However, the country will stay on the "enhanced follow-up", and continue to report back to the APG.

Pakistan has to meet all deficiencies identified in the APG action plan as well as one remaining item in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)'s action plan to move off the 'grey list'.

"Pakistan has 35 Recommendations rated C/LC (compliant/largely compliant)," said the APG in the '3rd Follow-Up Report Mutual Evaluation of Pakistan July 2021'.

"Pakistan will remain on enhanced follow-up, and will continue to report back to the APG on progress to strengthen its implementation of AML/CFT (anti money-laundering/combating the financing of terrorism) measures. Pakistan’s fourth progress report is due 1 February 2022."

Pakistan has been on the monitoring list since 2018 along with several other countries with deficiencies in the AML/CFT regime.

https://www.brecorder.com/news/40120114

 

[Bewal Express]

Head of US Delegation to FATF Scott Rembrandt arrives in Pakistan
Three-day visit aimed at discussing the country's action plan agreed with the forum
BR Web Desk 14 Sep 2021

Scott Rembrandt, Head of the US Delegation to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday on a three-day visit aimed at discussing the country's action plan agreed with the forum, reported Aaj News.

Rembrandt also serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Strategic Policy in the Office of Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes at the US Department of the Treasury.

Pakistan to stay on FATF’s ‘grey list’

He is likely to meet Pakistani officials working on the FATF's action plan for the country.

Rembrandt is also expected to discuss Islamabad's progress on the issue of terror financing and money laundering, one of FATF's key concerns.

In July, the US asked Pakistan to expeditiously implement its new second action plan, while recognising Islamabad's efforts in satisfying obligations that would help its case with the FATF.

US encourages Pakistan to expeditiously implement FATF action plan

In June, Pakistan was kept on the FATF's increased monitoring list -- also called the grey list -- after having met 26 of the 27 items on the action plan.

It was also asked to work on "the deficiencies later identified in Pakistan's 2019 Asia Pacific Group (APG) Mutual Evaluation Report (MER)".

Pakistan compliant in 35 out of 40 recommendations in APG action plan

In August, it was reported that Pakistan is now 'compliant' or 'largely compliant' in 35 of the 40 recommendations put forth by the APG, according to the follow-up MER, an upgrade from the previous assessment in which the country met 31 out of the 40 points in the action plan.

However, the country will stay on the "enhanced follow-up", and continue to report back to the APG.

Pakistan has to meet all deficiencies identified in the APG action plan as well as one remaining item in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)'s action plan to move off the 'grey list'.

"Pakistan has 35 Recommendations rated C/LC (compliant/largely compliant)," said the APG in the '3rd Follow-Up Report Mutual Evaluation of Pakistan July 2021'.

"Pakistan will remain on enhanced follow-up, and will continue to report back to the APG on progress to strengthen its implementation of AML/CFT (anti money-laundering/combating the financing of terrorism) measures. Pakistan’s fourth progress report is due 1 February 2022."

Pakistan has been on the monitoring list since 2018 along with several other countries with deficiencies in the AML/CFT regime.

https://www.brecorder.com/news/40120114

Its a political tool to squeeze countries that dont serve your interests.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan implemented all the 27 points proposed by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), after which there remained no justification for the international watchdog to continue keeping the country in its grey list, sources in the finance ministry said on Wednesday.

The sources said that Pakistan had fully complied with the terms of the FATF and “now we are waiting for the decision of the FATF, which is expected sometime in the night (Wednesday) or tomorrow (Thursday)”.

Pakistan’s agenda was completed on Wednesday during the ongoing three-day FATF meeting in Paris. The meeting reviewed the progress made by Pakistan on measures against money laundering and terror financing, the sources said.

“The 100% compliance report submitted by Pakistan states that Pakistan has completed the implementation of the remaining last point,” a source said. “The decision to remove from or retain the name on the grey list will now be based on the progress [report],” the sources added.

Speaking about the progress report, the sources said that about 150 people had been convicted in money laundering cases, while Pakistan had overcome the terrorism financing issue. Besides, there had not been any major terrorist incident in the country for quite some time.

In addition, law had been amended to punish those involved in money laundering, while recently the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) had been given the power to freeze suspected bank accounts. Also there had been progress in monitoring professions such as real estate, lawyers, accountants etc.

 

[MenInG]

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on Thursday retained Pakistan on its grey list despite the country ‘meeting all the 27 points’ proposed by the global anti-money laundering watchdog.

“Pakistan remains under increased monitoring. The Pakistani government has two concurrent action plans with a total of 34 action items,” FATF President Dr Marcus Pleyer said while addressing the media following the meeting.

He said Pakistan has “addressed or largely addressed” 30 of the 34 items of the FATF action plan to curb money laundering and terror financing.

The FATF president said that earlier this year in June new action plan was issued to Pakistan after the Asia Pacific Group (AGP) identified a number of serious issues.

“Overall Pakistan is making good progress on this new action plan four of the seven action items are addressed or largely addressed,” he added.

Regarding the 2018 action plan focusing on the terror financing issue, Dr Marcus said Pakistan has taken a number of important steps but it needs to further demonstrate that investigation and prosecution have been pursued against the senior leadership of UN-designated terror groups.

“I thank the Pakistani government for their continued strong commitment to this process.”

‘Considerable progress'

Soon after the decision was announced, the Finance Division said in a statement that the FATF has recognised “considerable progress” made by Pakistan on both the action plans.

“With regard to the 2021 Action Plan, Pakistan has completed four of the seven Action Plan Items,” it added.

Pakistan has completed these four action plan items much before the timelines prescribed by the FATF, as per the communiqué.

“While progress on remaining three action items is well underway and it is aimed to complete three action items ahead of timelines set by the FATF.”

The action items that have been completed include amendments in the Mutual Legal Assistance Act, 2020, AML/CFT supervision of Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs), transparency of beneficial ownership information and implementation of Targeted Financial Sanctions for Proliferation Finance by DNFBPs. The remaining action items in 2021 Action Plan include investigation and prosecution of money laundering cases, confiscation of assets and UN listings, read the statement.

Regarding the 2018 action plan, Pakistan submitted a comprehensive progress report on the last remaining action plan item. The FATF acknowledged Pakistan’s continued political commitment, which led to significant progress across a comprehensive CFT Action Plan and encouraged Pakistan to report further progress on investigation and prosecution.

Considerable work has already been carried out on the remaining items of both action plans. The FATF will undertake the next review of Pakistan’s Progress in February 2022, the official statement said.

The FATF plenary meetings were held from 19-21 October 2021, where its members discussed a variety of topics including Pakistan’s progress.

The Pakistan delegation was led by Federal Minister for Energy/Chairman National FATF Coordination Committee Hammad Azhar.

“Pakistan is fully committed to completing its both action plans in cooperation with the FATF and its international partners.”

The decision came following the virtual meeting of the FATF Plenary attended by delegates representing 205 members of the Global Network and observer organisations including the International Monetary Fund, the United Nations and the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units.

Pakistan had been placed at the FATF grey list with effect from June 2018 and was asked to implement a 27-point action plan to exit the grey list.

In June this year, the FATF retained Pakistan on its grey list despite the country meeting 26 of the 27 conditions and handed it over a new six-point action plan, keeping Islamabad exposed to global pressure tactics.

However, the FATF noted that Pakistan had completed all but one of the 27 items in the action plan and it had decided to keep it under “increased monitoring”.

Pakistan implemented all the 27 points proposed by the FATF, after which there remained no justification for the international watchdog to continue keeping the country in its grey list, sources in the finance ministry said on Wednesday.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2325759/fatf-retains-pakistan-on-grey-list-despite-100-compliance-1

 

[UzmanBeast]

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on Thursday retained Pakistan on its grey list despite the country ‘meeting all the 27 points’ proposed by the global anti-money laundering watchdog.

“Pakistan remains under increased monitoring. The Pakistani government has two concurrent action plans with a total of 34 action items,” FATF President Dr Marcus Pleyer said while addressing the media following the meeting.

He said Pakistan has “addressed or largely addressed” 30 of the 34 items of the FATF action plan to curb money laundering and terror financing.

The FATF president said that earlier this year in June new action plan was issued to Pakistan after the Asia Pacific Group (AGP) identified a number of serious issues.

“Overall Pakistan is making good progress on this new action plan four of the seven action items are addressed or largely addressed,” he added.

Regarding the 2018 action plan focusing on the terror financing issue, Dr Marcus said Pakistan has taken a number of important steps but it needs to further demonstrate that investigation and prosecution have been pursued against the senior leadership of UN-designated terror groups.

“I thank the Pakistani government for their continued strong commitment to this process.”

‘Considerable progress'

Soon after the decision was announced, the Finance Division said in a statement that the FATF has recognised “considerable progress” made by Pakistan on both the action plans.

“With regard to the 2021 Action Plan, Pakistan has completed four of the seven Action Plan Items,” it added.

Pakistan has completed these four action plan items much before the timelines prescribed by the FATF, as per the communiqué.

“While progress on remaining three action items is well underway and it is aimed to complete three action items ahead of timelines set by the FATF.”

The action items that have been completed include amendments in the Mutual Legal Assistance Act, 2020, AML/CFT supervision of Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs), transparency of beneficial ownership information and implementation of Targeted Financial Sanctions for Proliferation Finance by DNFBPs. The remaining action items in 2021 Action Plan include investigation and prosecution of money laundering cases, confiscation of assets and UN listings, read the statement.

Regarding the 2018 action plan, Pakistan submitted a comprehensive progress report on the last remaining action plan item. The FATF acknowledged Pakistan’s continued political commitment, which led to significant progress across a comprehensive CFT Action Plan and encouraged Pakistan to report further progress on investigation and prosecution.

Considerable work has already been carried out on the remaining items of both action plans. The FATF will undertake the next review of Pakistan’s Progress in February 2022, the official statement said.

The FATF plenary meetings were held from 19-21 October 2021, where its members discussed a variety of topics including Pakistan’s progress.

The Pakistan delegation was led by Federal Minister for Energy/Chairman National FATF Coordination Committee Hammad Azhar.

“Pakistan is fully committed to completing its both action plans in cooperation with the FATF and its international partners.”

The decision came following the virtual meeting of the FATF Plenary attended by delegates representing 205 members of the Global Network and observer organisations including the International Monetary Fund, the United Nations and the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units.

Pakistan had been placed at the FATF grey list with effect from June 2018 and was asked to implement a 27-point action plan to exit the grey list.

In June this year, the FATF retained Pakistan on its grey list despite the country meeting 26 of the 27 conditions and handed it over a new six-point action plan, keeping Islamabad exposed to global pressure tactics.

However, the FATF noted that Pakistan had completed all but one of the 27 items in the action plan and it had decided to keep it under “increased monitoring”.

Pakistan implemented all the 27 points proposed by the FATF, after which there remained no justification for the international watchdog to continue keeping the country in its grey list, sources in the finance ministry said on Wednesday.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2325759/fatf-retains-pakistan-on-grey-list-despite-100-compliance-1

You cannot get 98 out of 100 on a test and then fight with the teacher because you think you deserve 100%.

In the same sense, we should keep our heads down and get off this list as soon as possible.

Issuing statements and questioning the organization should be done if we have completed all the objectives.

 

[Napa]

When you have the Prime Minister of a country saying the Taliban has “broken the chains of slavery”, it shouldn’t be surprising that it will continue its tenure on an FATF list. FATF listing is primarily an impediment to doing business with the West. You can’t fight the West and also expect to do business with it.

 

[Lonewarrior]

Btw, Turkey just join in .....

Finance watchdog 'grey lists' Turkey in threat to investment

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - An international watchdog downgraded Turkey to a so-called grey list on Thursday for failing to head off money laundering and terrorist financing, a decision that could further erode foreign investment after a years-long exodus.

https://www.reuters.com/article/fatf-finance-idUSKBN2HB2A8

 

[Napa]

Btw, Turkey just join in .....

Finance watchdog 'grey lists' Turkey in threat to investment



https://www.reuters.com/article/fatf-finance-idUSKBN2HB2A8

There was a time a few years ago that Turkey almost became a member of the European Community. It has been going backwards steadily since then.

 

[Lego20]

Btw, Turkey just join in .....

Finance watchdog 'grey lists' Turkey in threat to investment



https://www.reuters.com/article/fatf-finance-idUSKBN2HB2A8

This proverb fits funny here with Turkey:
"Birds of a feather flock together"

 

[Local.Dada]

You cannot get 98 out of 100 on a test and then fight with the teacher because you think you deserve 100%.

In the same sense, we should keep our heads down and get off this list as soon as possible.

Issuing statements and questioning the organization should be done if we have completed all the objectives.

This not an exam where there is a grace mark or different levels of achievement.

This is binary 0 or 1. Either you are compliant or you aren’t .

Those 25/26 33.5/ 34 are all for public consumption to show the public there is improvement or work is being done.