If you run an unpretentious, weak state, you might be subjected to the full force of international regulations but on the contrary if you run a high powered, influential state, you have nothing to be afraid of. That is how the world seems to be moving in this 21st century era. 21st century came up with the revamping power dynamics of the international world. Imperialism never ended. It just evolved into international laws and International regulations became the project of imperialism. Economy and Power inter related. Hybrid Warfare infused. Power dynamics do not primarily rest on the shoulders of global institutions. In fact, they have become the products of geo politics and not the drivers. Rules that are passed through these institutions drive the mechanism of developing states. Today, we see the similar rules driving mechanism of Pakistan through FATF, which is the Paris based 39 membered inter-governmental body.
It was the second time after 2012, that in June 2018, Pakistan was once again placed on the “grey list” of Financial Action Task Force. The crucial FATF review meeting is looming over our heads and is expected in the ongoing month of October. Pakistan has enthusiastically attempted to execute FATF’s Action Plan through concrete and noticeable steps to remove “strategic inadequacies” which will determine the result of the forthcoming FATF Review. The 39-member inter-governmental body to combat Financing of Terror (CFT) and Anti Money Laundering (AML) has 9 Associate member groups of which Asia Pacific Group (APG) is a part and Pakistan being a member of APG is bound to comply with the recommendations of FATF.
This inter-governmental organization issues two types of lists, which includes the “Call for Action List”, often termed as Black List by media and the “Grey List”, in which 18 states including Pakistan is placed. Three years after 2012, Pakistan was removed from the “grey list” in 2015 because of the continuous measures to combat terror financing, money laundering and implementation of a comprehensive National Action Plan (NAP). A three years gap brought Pakistan once again to a similar situation of 2012. In 2018, after a strong anti – Pak lobbying by India with support of some proxies, FATF again placed Pakistan on its “grey list” for deficiencies in anti- money laundering and CFT. A 27-point agenda was provided to Pakistan from which 14 points were complied upon in February 2020 in the preliminary review meeting and FATF urged the state to complete agenda by June 2020. Pakistan like rest of the world was fighting the COVID-19 pandemic strategically and the review meeting was delayed till October 2020. Islamabad has already passed three resolutions along with the amendments in 10 acts through 13 bills. Concrete actions against terrorist groups / networks speak volumes of the state’s commitment to root out terrorism. Operation Rah e Raast till Operation Radd ul Fasaad – there is a complete story of valor of Pak Armed forces and its commitment to root out terrorism.
India, the hub of money laundering and terror financing, is striving hard to politically victimize Pakistan internationally. India has been sponsoring terror and has been posing serious security threats to sovereignty of other states across the world which has been confessed by many ex Indian officers. From Kulbhshan Yadav to Pulwama and till AbhiNandan, all echoes volumes about the Indian terrorism on other soils as well as false flag operations. Kulbhushan being a living example in front of the world exposes India’s suspicious and terror sponsoring activities in Balochistan. The antagonistic, loud, obnoxious and war mongering Indian Media, being the puppy of Narendra Modi’s fascist government has launched a hostile anti Pakistan campaign to sabotage Pakistan’s case in FATF and push Pakistan towards the “watch dog black list”. Linking the fair freedom struggle in Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) with a fabricated and acrimonious narrative of harboring international terrorism is all intentionally projected to disrupt Pakistan’s case in FATF.
There is a tale of two completely different states, one is India who has violated all International regulations, who doesn’t pay heed to International bodies, who’ s acceptance towards resolutions of UNSC on Kashmir is exposed in front of the world, who is harboring terrorism through all means. Amnesty International was forced to shut down its office in India because of their reports on Delhi Riots and massive Human rights violations in Illegally Occupied Kashmir. On the contrary, then there is a state Pakistan who has been complying with all international regulations, has been one of the largest troop contributors in Peace keeping missions, has rooted out terrorism by sacrificing more than 80,000 lives and indiscriminate actions against all forms of extremism and is recently re- elected as the member of United Nations Human Rights Council by securing169 votes in a 193-membered UN General Assembly. This vindicates Pakistan’s stance towards Peace building. The question that comes up in every other mind is this biased approach towards developing nations and particularly Pakistan. The country who has been sponsoring terrorism and has been repeatedly exposed is not on the “grey list” , rather should be “black listed” for financing terror in other states and War Crimes inside India with Muslims and in IIOJK. Whereas Pakistan is on the “grey list” even after rooting out terrorism, implementation of an effective border management system and anti-money laundering steps.
International Organizations need to realign their thoughts towards developing states now. FATF, particularly in this aspect must acknowledge Pakistan’s role, the state is hopeful of egressing FATF’s grey list, because the “strategic inadequacies” as claimed by FATF have been curbed strategically and legally. Else, the reputations of International bodies will be at stake in future, which must not happen.
