Pakistan is hopeful of being removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list, as a government official stated that “things appear to be going Pakistan’s way” this time.
Today is the last day of the FATF’s four-day plenary conference, after which the global anti-money laundering watchdog will announce which countries will remain on the list and which will be removed.
“So far there are reports that this time the decision will go in Pakistan’s favour,” the spokesman for the federal government told the publication, adding that the consent and satisfaction of other countries in the plenary is also significant in this regard.
The official said that even if Pakistan is removed from the list, it may take seven to eight months for matters to be settled. “After removal from the grey list, the FATF team will visit Pakistan for onsite inspection.”
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, who also chairs the National Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Coordination Committee, is leading the Pakistani delegation to the conference in Berlin.
Meanwhile, Hina Rabbani Khar has advised against “prejudging the outcome” of the FATF meeting.
The minister took to Twitter and said: “The FATF plenary meetings are continuing in Berlin. FATF will issue a public statement after the conclusion of the meetings tonight. Prejudging the outcome or speculative reporting could and should be avoided.”
