Pakistan: Qureshi calls Pompeo to convince him on Pak FATF commitment
New Delhi/Islamabad, Jun.18 (HS): Under pressure from FATF (Financial Action Task Force) action plan, Pak Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had a telephonic talk with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to discuss bilateral relations and regional peace and security, according to a press release issued by the information division of the Pakistan High Commission in London, England yesterday.
It is no surprise that Pakistan has failed to complete 25 of the 27 requirements demanded by international terror financing watchdog FATF to curb terror funding. Pakistan has been assuring world powers since the 9/11 terror attack that it won’t allow its territory to be used for cross-border terrorism. But government after government continues to pay only lip-service to that commitment.
The release further elaborates that Qureshi briefed Secretary Pompeo about the measures being taken by Pakistan in accordance with the National Action Plan and the initiatives being taken by the government to carry out economic restructuring.
“He also spoke about the steps that Pakistan has been taking for compliance with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) action plan. In this context, he highlighted the regulatory mechanisms that have been put in place to curb money laundering and terror financing practices,” the press release stated.
Qureshi also spoke to his US counterpart on the Afghanistan peace process. “He reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm resolve to play its positive role in this process and to support an intra Afghan dialogue. He also highlighted the Afghanistan Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) as a mechanism for strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries and to have constructive engagement,” the press release stated.
