ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has been given a three-month reprieve by a global watchdog over a US-led motion to put the country on a terrorist financing watchlist, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said late on Tuesday.
Member states of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) have been meeting this week in Paris, where it was expected that they would decide on a US motion — backed by Britain, France and Germany — to have Pakistan added to the so-called ‘grey list’ of countries not doing enough to comply with terrorist-funding regulations.
Mr Asif tweeted that Pakistan’s “efforts have paid (off)” during a Tuesday meeting on the US-led motion, suggesting there was “no consensus for nominating Pakistan”.
He also suggested the meeting proposed a “three months pause” and asked for the Asia Pacific Group, which is part of FATF, to consider “another report in June”.
“Grateful to friends who helped,” Mr Asif added.
Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2018
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Comments (60) Closed
Feb 21, 2018 07:59am
Its a three-month reprieve during which Pakistan will need to demonstrate that it is serious about cracking down on the banned organizations and their leaders. And that means no fooling around with cosmetic farces this time.
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Feb 21, 2018 08:08am
you should not be thankful, but you should feel ashamed of... why has Pakistan reached to this worse situation
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Feb 21, 2018 08:20am
The efforts needs to be on the ground and resolve this issue quickly. It is unfortunate that the leadership waited for such a long time to spring into action.
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Feb 21, 2018 08:20am
Question is what you are going to do in the three months??
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Feb 21, 2018 08:39am
Grateful? What a shameful statement from this FO. Its simple postponement of the decision, and you should do some miracle in 3 months to meet the requirements
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Feb 21, 2018 08:57am
congratulations !!!
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Feb 21, 2018 09:01am
Another blow to those trying their best (and failing) to isolate Pakistan. Our many friends will never allow such negative actions to succeed in the future as well.
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Feb 21, 2018 09:03am
This temporary help will not last long, things need to take seriously to let the world know with actionable proof that Pak gov. is not involve in any terror assisting activity before it's too late.
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Feb 21, 2018 09:08am
US is at the top of that so called watch-list, so why the whole world is silent about US??
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Feb 21, 2018 09:15am
Good effort by the Government.
America is after Pakistan. We need to stand our ground.
Boycott America.
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Feb 21, 2018 09:22am
Good news.
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Feb 21, 2018 09:31am
The sword continues to hang over our heads.
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Feb 21, 2018 09:46am
Pakistan must remember the countries that opposed it in FATF.
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Feb 21, 2018 10:14am
Keep your efforts on. Hope all countries understand this this blackmailing by USA and it's allies.
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Feb 21, 2018 10:34am
Great News but Pakistani state needs to do more to satisfy our western allies.
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Feb 21, 2018 10:46am
It was very much expected. As long as US remains in Afghanistan pakistan can safely assume no sanctions can be applied against it. US needs Pakistan more than Pakistan needs US. Pakistan has China, Russia, Saudis and Turkey to bail out from difficult situations. Who will bail out US?
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Feb 21, 2018 10:52am
Now we know who our friends really are.
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Feb 21, 2018 10:56am
Big congratulations to Pakistan great job
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Feb 21, 2018 11:37am
Its look like our ministers are capable to do best for the country. They just need to get rid of corrupt leadership.
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Feb 21, 2018 11:52am
Its just shame on us. We are struggling to stay afloat in the community of nations. Just yesterday, saw another v shameful news. Pakistan worst in newborn mortality rate, reported by UNICEF. Would someone please throw some good news also? Its depressing!!
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Feb 21, 2018 11:57am
It is not achievement .This news will highlight the conditions of Pakistan in all news papers and media globally.
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Feb 21, 2018 12:11pm
Embarrassing, nothing to be proud of
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Feb 21, 2018 12:18pm
We are still not out of danger!! Khowaja Asif is misleading the nation!
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Feb 21, 2018 12:20pm
Why this was allowed to happen in the first place??
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Feb 21, 2018 12:22pm
@Last Word 1 “Question is what you are going to do in the three months??”
I suppose you will just have to wait-and-see
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Feb 21, 2018 12:39pm
The government must take concrete measures to address the shortcomings highlighted by the international community. Use this three months period and take corrective measures instead of celebrating. Any further complacency would be disastrous.
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Feb 21, 2018 01:51pm
Wow....what a great achievement. US has given its carrot now once again to mend the ways in next 90 days else again the friendly countries would be visited with folded-hands.
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Feb 21, 2018 01:53pm
Is 3 months sufficient to do nothing ? Should have asked for at least a year or two.
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Feb 21, 2018 01:57pm
It is a matter for grave concern that this was put on the agenda. Reputation soiled forever. Mind you it was never clean anyway from the very start.
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Feb 21, 2018 02:03pm
@Javed The countries that opposed Pakistan in FATF would include pretty much everyone except may be China, Russia, Turkey and KSA.
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Feb 21, 2018 02:07pm
@Asif Bhatti Do not be so over confident. US has enough economic leverage on most of these nations, including China, Turkey and the Saudis. The motion moved by US was not voted upon, instead the country was given a temporary reprieve for 3 months.
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Feb 21, 2018 02:13pm
I got compartment in my 12th exam...I was happy I did not fail....all my life I was happy just getting passing marks and asking for help from others.
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Feb 21, 2018 02:13pm
Khawaja Asif is an excellent FM of Pakistan.
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Feb 21, 2018 02:19pm
Great news , Now 3 moths of hard work required. Do not make the same mistake again. And remember its not at all good to reach such a point & then get a reprieve.
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Feb 21, 2018 02:51pm
Who helped us postponing this? Does anyone knows?
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Feb 21, 2018 02:51pm
Good news, 3 months for remedial exams.
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Feb 21, 2018 03:02pm
I don't understand what is there to cheer about ???
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Feb 21, 2018 03:02pm
The maximum the diplomatic efforts could win is 3 months extension.. Count down starts...
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Feb 21, 2018 05:02pm
@Asif Bhatti When US feels it's in trouble everyone will be in deep trouble. The global markets and economy will be in an everlasting winter freeze
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Feb 21, 2018 06:03pm
A great achievement indeed!!
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Feb 21, 2018 06:40pm
@Asif Bhatti Wow!!! Great logic..
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Feb 21, 2018 07:01pm
@Ahmed khan lehri , everybody is concerned about their own survival, they don’t care what happens to us, we have to set our own priorities in the right direction but we all know that it will not happen and certain powers will make it sure that it doesn’t happen.
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Feb 21, 2018 07:05pm
@Vineeth , you know what the global strategy canvas is much bigger than all these plans to take down a country just like that, these are just few of the misplaced splashes here and there which will take lot of practice to get the color sequence correct.
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Feb 21, 2018 07:41pm
Great spin. The conclusion is Pakistan was warned to change in 3 months else be on the list. Standard process before sanctions.
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Feb 21, 2018 07:53pm
@Denali
Our Govt. acted too late under duress.
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Feb 21, 2018 08:23pm
You have have three months to make amends. Do not miss this chance
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Feb 21, 2018 09:21pm
Take advantage of this temporary relief and take immediate action against all terrorists without distinction otherwise you'll be in the same position in 3 months and nobody will be there to save you.
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Feb 21, 2018 09:37pm
@Still Concerned
Boycott America? Just try, friend. Your politicians, their families and almost all the military have their hidden assets in the U.S. You try boycotting America, and your will be completely ostracized in the world. Of course, America will be only too happy if you "boycotted". They will have to stop throwing small change at Pakistan.
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Feb 21, 2018 10:08pm
Put your acts together in 3 months. World is not after Pakistan, world is after terrorism.
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Feb 21, 2018 10:22pm
Indians wont sleep today!
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Feb 21, 2018 10:50pm
Nice disclaimer from Mr. Asif
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Feb 21, 2018 11:07pm
Something is seriously wrong with the present government. Why have they brought Pakistan to this level of scrutiny on the International arena?
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Feb 22, 2018 01:26am
This PML n government with no solution for tackling the monsters of money laundering, terrorism financing, corruption and then on the top, embroiled in a wrongly picked battle with the judiciary, will continue to be a disaster for Pakistan.
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Feb 22, 2018 10:49am
Congratulations!!!
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Feb 22, 2018 12:24pm
FATF is yet to take decision on Pakistan which as per US spokesperson will announced on 23 Feb.
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Feb 22, 2018 01:29pm
they cant push Pakistan beyond a certain limit. Pakistan can not be isolated.
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Feb 22, 2018 03:06pm
FATF has denied this claim of reprieve.
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Feb 22, 2018 10:23pm
@Last Word 1 We will think about it then. For now, just chill and party.
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Feb 23, 2018 02:42am
Spike too soon???
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Feb 23, 2018 06:54am
I guess congratulations are in order...
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