Terror financing watchdog FATF warns Pak to mend ways

Imran Khan
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 23: Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan speaks at the Climate Action Summit at the United Nations on September 23, 2019 in New York City. While the United States will not be participating, China and about 70 other countries are expected to make announcements concerning climate change. The summit at the U.N. comes after a worldwide Youth Climate Strike on Friday, which saw millions of young people around the world demanding action to address the climate crisis. Stephanie Keith/Getty Images/AFP

Paris: The financially ailing Pakistan economy is likely to be hit further with the international terror financing watchdog FATF's strong warning to the country.

Pakistan which is on the verge of strong action by FATF may soon be put in the 'Dark Grey' list, the last warning to improve.

If the country continues with the 'grey list' or put in 'Dark Grey' list, it would be very difficult for the country to get financial aid from the IMF, the World Bank and the European Union, making its financial condition more precarious.

Officials attending the ongoing plenary of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) here said as per indications, Pakistan will be isolated by all members for not doing enough.

Pakistan is on the verge of strong action by FATF, given its inadequate performance, whereby it managed to pass in only six of 27 items, an official privy to the development said.

The FATF will finalise its decision on Pakistan on October 18.

According to FATF rules there is one essential stage between 'Grey' and 'Black' lists, referred to as 'Dark Grey'.

'Dark Grey' means issuance of a strong warning, so that the country concerned gets one last chance to improve, another official said.

'Dark Grey' was the term used for warning upto 3rd Phase. Now it's just called warning -- that isthe 4th phase.

The FATF is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.

Pakistan was placed on the Grey List by the Paris-based watchdog in June last year and was given a plan of action to complete it by October 2019, or face the risk of being placed on the black list with Iran and North Korea.

(With inputs from PTI.)

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