Looking forward to onsite visit for FATF grey list exit: Bilawal

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari welcomed Financial Action Task Force’s unanimous acknowledgment of completion of action plans,

In a statement by the Foreign Office, the foreign minister said that announcement by the FATF plenary of granting an on-site visit to Pakistan was a welcome development.

He reaffirmed that the government of Pakistan was committed to continue this positive trajectory of reforming the financial sector as part of its larger strategic objective of strengthening the economy.

The decision also reflected the remarkable progress made by Pakistan to enhance the effectiveness of its anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regime, he added.

“I am certain that this good news from FATF will restore confidence in Pakistan’s economy and act as a catalyst for sustained growth and development. Let me reiterate the Government of Pakistan’s high level commitment to continue aligning our AML/CFT regime with global standards,” the foreign minister said.

He said they are looking forward to the on-site visit and a successful and early culmination of the process leading to Pakistan’s exit from the grey list.

Foreign minister Bilawal also commended the hard work and dedicated efforts of Pakistan’s FATF team that led to the successful completion of all technical requirements of both FATF Action Plans of 2018 and 2021.

This was the result of concerted national efforts and complete harmony of interests by all stakeholders, he observed.

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A day earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephonic conversation with Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari after Pakistan met conditions of both action plans set by FATF for being removed from the grey list.

The prime minister lauded his efforts for playing his critical part in engaging with the International community pressing for the removal of Pakistan’s status from the FATF grey list.

FM Bilawal told the prime minister that the entire team at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs deserves credit for the achievement. He said that all efforts will be made to bring the nation out of difficult situations.

The prime minister also telephoned Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and congratulated him on this all important achievement.

PM Shehbaz Sharif praised the army chief in establishing the core cell at the General Headquarters (GHQ) “which steered the national effort & civil-military team which synergized implement

He felicitated entire civil and military leadership, and their respective team, which was part of the core cell for their efforts in this regard.

While speaking to the army chief, the prime minister held that the nation was proud of everyone who had worked for the success of Pakistan in achieving this milestone.

PM Shehbaz Sharif also commended Finance Minister Miftah Ismail and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and their respective teams for playing their part and called it an important success for Pakistan.