The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) kept Pakistan on the grey list as it “needs to further demonstrate that investigation and prosecution of proscribed terrorists and terror groups is being seriously pursued,” said FATF chief Marcus Pleyer at the end the global finance watchdog’s deliberations that began on Sunday.
“Pakistan remains under increased monitoring (grey list). The Pakistan government has two concurrent action plans, with a total of 34 action plan items. It has now largely addressed 30 of the items,” said Pleyer.
Addressing a press conference, Financial Action Task Force (FATF) president Marcus Pleyer said the decision has been taken at the conclusion of the virtual plenary of the organisation.
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In June this year, the FATF had retained Pakistan on its ‘Grey List’ for failing to check money laundering, leading to terror financing. The FATF asked Islamabad to investigate and prosecute UN-designated terror terrorists including Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar.
It also asked Pakistan to work to address its strategically important deficiencies.
The UN-designated terrorists based in Pakistan include Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Azhar, Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Saeed and its ‘operational commander’ Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi.
Azhar, Saeed and Lakhvi are the most wanted terrorists in India for their involvement in numerous terrorist acts, including the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and bombing of a CRPF bus at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.
(With inputs from ANI)
