NEW DELHI: Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar admitted the political use of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) against Pakistan.
According to a report, the Indian external minister admitted that Pakistan is on the grey list of the FATF because of the efforts of Narendra Modi’s government. He credited the Modi-led government for its “efforts” to ensure that FATF kept Pakistan on the grey list.
The minister issued the statement while addressing BJP leaders’ training programme on the foreign policy of the government via video link, the outlet said. “Due to us, Pakistan is under the radar of FATF and it was kept [on] the grey list,” he added.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office statement:
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) on Monday slammed the Indian minister’s statement, admitting that it played role in keeping Pakistan on the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
“Indian statement not only exposes its true colours but also vindicates Pakistan’s longstanding stance on India’s negative role in FATF,” said FO Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri after Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar admitted that Pakistan is on the FATF grey list because of the “efforts of Narendra Modi’s government.”.
The spokesperson reminded that Islamabad has always been highlighting India’s role to the international community in the politicisation of the FATF and undermining its processes. It added that the recent statement by the Indian foreign minister was “just a further corroboration of its continued efforts to use an important technical forum for its narrow political designs against Pakistan”.
“While 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,” said the FO spokesperson.
The statement said that Islamabad has been “exposing India’s duplicitous role to the international community in the past” and vowed that it will also bring the “recent confession by India” to the FATF’s notice.
“Pakistan is also considering approaching FATF president for appropriate action in this matter. Following the recent confession by the 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,” said Chaudhry.
The FO spokesperson reiterated that Pakistan’s progress in AML/CFT domain has been “demonstrated through concrete, tangible and verifiable actions” which was also “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,” said Chaudhri. He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the AML/CFT systems.
