FATF’s Asia-Pacific Group Puts Pakistan On Blacklist; Finds Islamabad Non-Compliant On 32 Out Of 40 Parameters

In a huge blow to Pakistan’s bid to deflect international scrutiny over allegations of terror links, the Asia-Pacific Group of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has placed the country in its Enhanced Expedited Follow Up List (Blacklist), reports PTI.

The decision was taken at a meeting in Canberra, Australia, where the body found that Pakistan had not been compliant with 32 out of 40 compliance parameters relating to money laundering and terror financing.

"The APG has placed Pakistan in the Enhanced Expedited Follow Up List (Black List) for failure to meet its standards," said an Indian official.

The country’s performance was found to be low on 10 out of 11 effectiveness parameters dealing with terror financing and money laundering. In fact, Pakistan failed to persuade the body to upgrade it on even a single parameter.

The next litmus test for Pakistan when occur once the FATF’s 27-point action plan’s deadline concludes in October this year, as then Pakistan could face being placed on a blacklist by the main body itself.