India may push counter-terrorist financing watchdog to add Pakistan to ‘Grey List’
FATF members removed Pakistan from the ‘Grey List’ in October 2022 after receiving satisfactory assurance on the implementation of a 34-point action plan that included the introduction of legal and operational reforms, including AML/CTF mechanisms for better monitoring of suspicious transactions and politically exposed persons.
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What will happen to the countries included in the ‘Grey List’?
Countries on the FATF’s ‘Grey List’ face increased monitoring and are subject to periodic review “to address strategic deficiencies in their regimes.” money laundering, terrorism financing and nuclear proliferation financing,” according to the TOI report.
Such countries may also face difficulties in accessing funds from global financial institutions.
It would be an interesting move to watch if India pushes for Islamabad to be placed on the ‘Grey List’ for hosting jihadist groups behind sensational acts of terrorism in different parts of the world. Pakistan has recently positioned itself as a peacemaker by trying to broker a ceasefire agreement between the two countries in the ongoing US-Iran war. New Delhi appears keen to put pressure on the global counter-terrorism financing watchdog to hold Pakistan accountable for the continued proliferation of non-state actors on Pakistani soil and the use of its financial systems for terrorist activities, especially with the appointment of culture ministry secretary Vivek Agarwal as FATF deputy chairman, the report said.
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Citing social media videos, TOI reported that after Operation Sindoor, many senior Pakistani army and intelligence officials were seen in the visuals attending the funerals of terrorists killed in the operation.
Footage showing state actors attending meetings of terrorist organisations, among other important evidence, could be placed on the ‘Grey List’ or before the FATF’s next plenary session to bring Islamabad back under tight control.
