FATF recognizes Pakistan's efforts in combating money laundering, terrorism financing
The FATF noted that Pakistan took several steps to implement the Action Plan.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The meetings of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) took place at OECD, Paris from February 17-22, 2019 to review the compliance of a number of countries with the international standards on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism (AML-CFT), says a press release issued by Press Information Department (PID).
Pakistan was earlier placed by FATF in its Ongoing Compliance Document in view of an Action Plan undertaken by it to strengthen its CFT Regime.
The FATF reviewed the progress made by Pakistani authorities concerned with CFT role, based upon an analysis carried out by Asia-Pacific Joint Group.
The FATF noted that Pakistan took several steps to implement the Action Plan including by undertaking Risk Assessment of Terrorism Financing and Cash Smuggling in the country.
FATF advised Pakistan to take further actions that include detailed assessment of TF Risk, strengthening of AML/CFT supervisory measures by the regulatory authorities, financial inquiries and investigations into terrorist funding activities and promotion of awareness among the citizens on CFT measures and controls.
Punjab government today took charge of Madressatul Sabir and Jama-e-Masjid Subhanallah in Bahawalpur.
“A Spokesman of the Ministry of Interior has said that the government of Punjab has taken over the control of a campus comprising Madressatul Sabir and Jama-e-Masjid Subhanallah in Bahawalpur, reportedly the Headquarters of Jaesh-e-Mohammad and appointed an administrator to manage its affairs,” says Press Information Department (PID).
The Spokesman said that the action was taken in line with the decision of the National Security Committee meeting held yesterday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
He maintained that the campus has a faculty of 70 teachers and currently 600 students were studying in it.
The Punjab police is providing security and protection to the campus, he added.
The government on Thursday gave approval to ban two groups during National Security Committee (NSC) meeting.
Jamaat-ud-Dawa and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation were designated "proscribed organisations", the interior ministry said in a statement, adding that Prime Minister Imran Khan had ordered officials to accelerate action against banned groups.
Pakistan had achieved all targets set for the federation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) before the onset of meetings, however a few targets set for the provinces could not be met so far.
Effective measures to curtail money laundering and terror financing were formulated and adopted. A high-level delegation led by Pakistan’s finance secretary Arif Ahmad Khan held meetings with FATF representatives.
The delegation comprised of officials from Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), NACTA , Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) and representatives from other departments who apprised FATF regarding measures adopted by Pakistan to curb suspicious banking transactions and fake bank accounts. However, no representative from the provinces was taken in the delegation.
