Pakistan has highlighted that ‘confessional’ statement from India’s External Affairs Minister regarding FATF proves politicization of the watchdog against Pakistan.
In a statement, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has said thatthe Indian statement not only exposes its true colors but also vindicates Pakistan’s longstanding stance on India’s negative role in FATF.
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Pakistan has always been highlighting to the international community the politicization of FATF and undermining of its processes by India. The recent Indian statement is just further corroboration of its continued efforts to use an important technical forum for its narrow political designs against Pakistan, read the MoFA press-release.
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, it added.
It is to be noted that Pakistan has been exposing India’s duplicitous role to the international community in the past and it will also bring this recent confession by India to the notice of FATF and broader international community.
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.
Pakistan’s immense progress in AML/CFT domain demonstrated through concrete, tangible and verifiable actions has been openly acknowledged by FATF.
We are resolved to sustain this momentum and trajectory with the support and cooperation of our international partners. India’s delusions of putting pressure on Pakistan have always remained unfulfilled and would never see the light of day, noted MoFA.
Despite distractions including politicization of FATF processes by certain jurisdictions, Pakistan re-affirms its commitment to bring its AML/CFT systems to international standards for its own good and also to fulfill its international obligations and commitments.
The development comes as earlier, 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.”
“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,” said the Indian official.
Federal Minister for Energy – Hammad Azhar took to social media to highlight that the statement of Indian External Affairs minister only confirms what Pakistan has been saying all along.
The federal minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to complete both the action plans provided by the watchdog.
