Pakistan’s cooperation with FATF, int’l community grounded in its strategic objective of strengthening economy: Hina Rabbani Khar

Islamabad: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar on Saturday reiterated that Pakistan’s cooperation with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the international community was grounded in its strategic objective of strengthening its economy and further integration with the global financial system.

Addressing a press conference here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she said that the ‘good news from FATF will restore confidence in our economy, will give it a much needed boost and would improve the investment climate.’

She said that Pakistan’s positive and speedy progress, which paved the way for its exit from the grey list, was greatly appreciated and welcomed by the FATF members.

Sharing details of the FATF plenary session in Berlin, Germany where she headed Pakistan’s delegation, the minister said during the meeting, the recommendations of the FATF’s International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) on Pakistan’s 2018 and 2021 Action Plans were discussed.

The FATF had acknowledged by consensus that all action items had been largely addressed by Pakistan and the action plan was closed with no pendency on part of Pakistan, she added.

She said on 2021 Action Plan related to money laundering issues, Pakistan had completed the entire seven-point action plan a year ahead of the prescribed timelines.

“This swift pace and progress is indicative of the comprehensive reforms and action that have been carried out by Pakistan in the AML/CFT domain and sustained momentum of our efforts,” she maintained.

Hina Khar further said that FATF had now formally acknowledged the completion of both actions plans by Pakistan containing 34 points and duly recognized the tremendous progress and commitment to improve its systems.

The FATF after discussions, decided by consensus that Pakistan had completed all the requirements of the both action plans and thus authorized an on-site visit of the technical team to Pakistan to validate the process of implementation of reforms.

She explained that it was a technical requirement for those countries that were removed from the grey list. The on-site visit would evaluate the arrangements, legislation, coordination among the different bodies and their offices etc, she added.

“It marks the beginning of the end-process that will eventually culminate in the exit of Pakistan from FATF’s grey list,” she said, elaborating that they were working closely with the FATF to arrange the on-site visit, with a view to conclude the entire process at the earliest and before the next FATF plenary in October this year.

Khar said that they had been highlighting the complete national consensus in Pakistan on the issue which was supported by the institutional harmony and synergy.

The minister while appreciating the tireless efforts of all the teams to achieve the objective, said that it was indeed ‘a whole of country response’. “It also demonstrates that when we work together with a sense of purpose, we can achieve remarkable things,” she added.

She also expressed gratitude to the friendly countries and international partners for their understanding, support and cooperation.

Reply to a question, she said that all the political parties, the present and the previous governments deserved credit for making progress over the objective as it was a national cause and ‘a win win situation for Pakistan’.

The minister said taking all drastic measures with national consensus were in Pakistan’s interests to show to the world that it was a responsible country.

To another query regarding boycott of the FATF’s legislation by the opposition parties during PTI’s tenure, she maintained that they had adopted the legislation in the parliamentary committees. They only opposed the legislation process in the parliament as the previous ruling party was bulldozing the set procedures, she added.

Responding to a question regarding India’s attempts to leak FATF proceedings, she said that the body had been very strict to the confidentiality of its reports.

On the other hand, Pakistan manifested itself as the responsible country and a part of responsible international economic framework.

She also expressed the optimism that the achievement at FATF would also restore the economic stability.