Pakistan likely to exit FATF ‘grey list’

Islamabad: Pakistan is likely to be off the ‘grey list’ of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) when a crucial four-day review meeting begins in Germany tomorrow, government sources said.

According to details, Pakistan has been on the ‘gray list’ of the FATF since 2016 and has not been able to get out of the list of this international organization. But, this time there is a possibility of ‘liberation from the curse’.

The FATF, an international organization that oversees money laundering and terrorist financing worldwide, is holding a four-day meeting in Berlin, Germany, from June 14 to 17. 

Pakistan’s delegation, led by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar alongside senior officials of the foreign and finance ministries, left for Germany to attend the crucial meeting.

The organization will finalize key issues at its four-day meeting, including a report on curbing money laundering through the real estate sector.

Matters pertaining to Pakistan's removal from the increased monitoring list will be discussed on June 15 and 16. Another report will urge financial institutions to use mutual analysis, data collection and other support measures to address issues as terrorist financing.

Moreover, diplomatic sources from Washington have said that the allied countries that are part of this lobbying are of the view that in order to revive Pakistan’s economy, it is necessary to remove it from the FATF’s grey list. 

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan needs votes of Turkey, China and Malaysia to get off the grey list, and all three countries have assured the Pakistani authorities of full support for the purpose. Hence, there are bright chances that the country will exit the ‘grey list’. 

The outcomes of this FATF plenary will be published on June 17. 

Earlier, at its meeting in Paris in March, the FATF had pointed out that Pakistan had completed 26 of the 27 in its 2018 action plan.

As per sources privy to the development, Pakistan has implemented 32 out of 34 points of the two FATF action plans given in 2018 and 2021.