Pakistan out of UK’s ‘high-risk countries’ list

E-Paper | April 29, 2026

LONDON: The United Kingdom has removed Pakistan from its ‘high-risk third countries’ list through a statutory instrument, effectively meaning the UK foreign office recognises the progress Pakistan has made to be removed from FATF’s grey list.

A notification by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on Monday marked this development, saying the UK recognizes Pakistan’s efforts to improve money laundering and terror financing curbs.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari hailed the development on Twitter, saying it was “good news”.

The list includes those countries that the UK deems pose risks due to unsatisfactory money laundering and terror financing controls.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2022

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

World

FATF removes Pakistan from grey list after 4 years

There and back again: A timeline of Pakistan's journey out of the FATF 'grey list'

Out of the danger zone

M. Emad

Nov 15, 2022 08:12am

Indian-Origin Shri Rishi Sunak is the prime minister of UK.

Recommend 0

Mega Dehati

Nov 15, 2022 08:12am

UK is itself a hub of money launderers and thugs. London is full of gangsters from all over the world.

Recommend 0

M Zade

Nov 15, 2022 08:17am

When you have your puppets in place and the country is controlled by London you no longer will call it a threat. The Elites of Pakistan including the top brass of the army have been hard wired in Sandhurst to obey London. Imran Khan only man who will free Pakistan with the help of the public.

Recommend 0

Justice

Nov 15, 2022 08:22am

It is just procedural action by UK after FATF delisting. Someone please tell Bilawal that there is nothing to brag about.

Recommend 0

John The Baptist

Nov 15, 2022 08:39am

Pakistani leaders still think they are ruled by Britain. While in reality Britain is now ruled by an Indian!

Recommend 0

Zak

Nov 15, 2022 08:54am

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari hailed the development on Twitter, saying it was “good news”. He should hail the fact UK court just fined the PM, Mr Shebaz Sharif for syphoning £ 10 million from UK aid money for earthquake disasters, into his own account in UK.

Recommend 0

Justice for all

Nov 15, 2022 09:01am

Thank you UK for having taken Pakistan out of high risk country but unfortunately UK still remains among the high risk countries because of serious threat of nuke by Russia if NATO does not stop arming Ukraine to fight Russian Army.

Recommend 0

Denali

Nov 15, 2022 09:08am

Not sure if the Brits took into account the new default situation.

Recommend 0

Nov 15, 2022 09:16am

Where the former PM is not safe.

Recommend 0

Javed

Nov 15, 2022 09:24am

Bilawal is still our Forgien Minister, I totally forgot about him. LoL!

Recommend 0

Sheila Kijawani

Nov 15, 2022 09:49am

Really amusing how all talk is of ‘victory’ in getting out of FATF. Its like digging a hole, then falling into it, then getting out by laborious refilling of the hole..and calling it a victory! Lol!

Recommend 0

Sayyar Khan

Nov 15, 2022 09:58am

@M. Emad , wow we had no idea Thanks for sharing your knowledge

Recommend 0

Amin

Nov 15, 2022 10:18am

Well done BBZ. We are proud of you.

Recommend 0

Retired

Nov 15, 2022 10:32am

This is normal action after getting out of FATF.Under PPP rule Sindh has converted into Mohanjodaro.Millions of Sindis are in distress after flood and Bhutto is alive.

Recommend 0

Shaun

Nov 15, 2022 10:41am

Now, the UK Government must provide work and housing for the Pakistanis that will be coming to the UK.

Recommend 0

Subhi

Nov 15, 2022 11:01am

Its a shame for a country to be called as High Risk. Pakistan should work towards not to be part of such situations. We see countries list Pakisan as high risk, National carrier (PIA) is barred from landing, Pakistan remains in FATF for 4 years. These are not good indicators for Pakistan and as a nation everyone is should raise their voice to be a country who is respected around the world.

Recommend 0

Umar Makhdumi

Nov 15, 2022 11:22am

Second good news in recent times after FATF decision.

Recommend 0

Zahid

Nov 15, 2022 11:29am

Money transferred from Pakistan will not go through extra scrutiny now. This is the indeed Good News for Zardari / Nawaz clan and their minions

Recommend 0

Asim Malik

Nov 15, 2022 11:35am

I wonder which names would appear that top of the list of money laundering trail...

Recommend 0

paathan

Nov 15, 2022 11:43am

Yes, can't be a risk now, important decisions are made in London.

Recommend 0

Plastikman

Nov 15, 2022 11:45am

Will Pakistanis tourist getting visa on arrival for UK?

Recommend 0

Slowcrack

Nov 15, 2022 11:55am

More insult to super power Pakistan. I didn’t even know I was in any such list.

Recommend 0

Nouman

Nov 15, 2022 12:07pm

Thanks to Imran khans policy for FATF while these crooks voted against FATF bills

Recommend 0

Heaven

Nov 15, 2022 12:13pm

So no more terrorist organizations are in Pakistan !

Recommend 0

ABE

Nov 15, 2022 12:44pm

Ironic! Both the Bhutto Zardari clan and the mafia Sharifs have most of the looted wealth invested in the UK, while most of the family was either convicted in Pakistan or in absentia and took refuge in the UK, while those out on bail, fled Pakistan (like Ishaq Dar) and found a safe heaven in the UK of all the countries in the world. I consider UK as the black-money and money-laundering capital of the world, on par with the Bahamas, Dubai and other shady outfits.

Recommend 0

Hindsight

Nov 15, 2022 01:06pm

All work done by IK and opposed by launderers in gov now. The irony

Recommend 0

Fast Zak

Nov 15, 2022 01:13pm

Really, what about gun shots on ex PM in this safe country

Recommend 0

Adnan

Nov 15, 2022 02:23pm

This list is purely based on FATF listing and was updated following the delisting of Pakistan. I am not sure what is government bragging about?

Recommend 0

Nov 15, 2022 03:04pm

@M Zade, Do you want imran to make Pakistan like present Iran? definitely not everybody wants. Iran could survive because of its oil based economy but Pakistan can't. Real independence is necessary but for that we need capable and sensible person to lead us, not a jerk like imran who is just making nation fool by spreading lies. Everyone know what he had done to the country. He obeyed to other countries like everyone did in the past.

Recommend 0

Zak

Nov 15, 2022 03:09pm

@M. Emad , Indian-Origin Shri Rishi Sunak is the prime minister of UK. He looks Indiam and awkwardly out of place

Recommend 0

Zak

Nov 15, 2022 03:10pm

@Fast Zak, Really, what about gun shots on ex PM in this safe country Exactly, where ever Shebaz and Nawaz go, criminality follow.

Recommend 0

Dhinchack

Nov 15, 2022 03:41pm

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari hailed the development on Twitter, saying it was “good news”. Seems same feeling as coming out of the jail of Pakistani politicians.

Recommend 0

Rksoma

Nov 15, 2022 03:42pm

If it is “good news” that other countries are removing you from high risk bracket; if it’s good news that your loan requests are being approved, you must be in a pathetic state indeed.

Recommend 0

Fayyaz Hafeez

Nov 15, 2022 03:59pm

High Risk Politicians like Nawaz Sharif & Altaf Hussain sitting in UK and destroying Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Changez Khan

Nov 15, 2022 04:01pm

Whoopee!!! Pakistan is going to be rich now.

Recommend 0

Handsome PM

Nov 15, 2022 04:12pm

PTI govt couldn't do what PMLN did. Well done Sharif sir!

Recommend 0

John Cool

Nov 15, 2022 04:14pm

@Mega Dehati, "UK is itself a hub of money launderers and thugs. London is full of gangsters from all over the world." The difference is money is coming in the country and is controlled and exploited to their advantage unlike Pak ,which is detrimental to itself.

Recommend 0

Soothsayer

Nov 15, 2022 05:03pm

How many other lists include Pakistan. Probably more than we know about.

Recommend 0

Soothsayer

Nov 15, 2022 05:05pm

So now we have made it to the Medium Risk List an equivalent of Grey List.

Recommend 0

bhaRAT©/Fastrack/Dr. Gonorrhea/Zak

Nov 15, 2022 05:11pm

Why? Who was bribed?

Recommend 0

Just Saying

Nov 15, 2022 05:13pm

Don't expect millions of Britishers to be flocking to have a holiday in Murree.

Recommend 0

Ibrahim S

Nov 15, 2022 05:25pm

A good news for the country and a bad news for IKN

Recommend 0

Naeem

Nov 15, 2022 05:35pm

And finally Zardari woke up from deep sleep to laud his loyal british master.

Recommend 0

Not needed

Nov 15, 2022 05:54pm

Pak should ask to be back in the list. They don't need that charity from Rishi Sunak. It is against the dignity of every Pakistani, better to be high risk category.

Recommend 0

A.M.Khawar

Nov 15, 2022 06:09pm

Well earned relief. Hope we get even better in our legislations progress and the rule of laws across the nation.

Recommend 0

rns

Nov 15, 2022 06:25pm

@M. Emad , Do you mean thanks to Shri Rishi Sunak the prime minister of UK ?

Recommend 0

Sal

Nov 15, 2022 06:27pm

Shut up, corrupt Golden spoon spawn

Recommend 0

rns

Nov 15, 2022 06:29pm

@Plastikman, dream on ...

Recommend 0

INDIAN DALIT DELTA

Nov 15, 2022 06:35pm

And the entire credit goes to Imran Khan!!!

Recommend 0

Sam

Nov 15, 2022 06:35pm

while Modi and Xi are having dinner together at G20.

Recommend 0

Sam

Nov 15, 2022 06:36pm

Well done Bilawal and the current government. Out of FATF and out of risk list. FDI flowing in from America, Saudi and China. What a contrast from previous 'JALSA' and 'FAKE' govt.

Recommend 0

Moon

Nov 15, 2022 08:05pm

Its justified since Pak is no more a risk as England has won the t20 wc.

Recommend 0

Vks, St. Louis, MO

Nov 15, 2022 11:09pm

Great move and excellent news.

Recommend 0

Nov 16, 2022 05:30am

Big mistake UK

Recommend 0

Branded Content

NexGen Auto (Nishat Group) to Introduce iCAUR in Pakistan

As one of Pakistan’s leading business groups, Nishat Group operates across key sectors including textiles, cement, banking, insurance, power and agriculture.

NTL and Unikrew Solutions establish additional strategic understanding for potential transformation opportunities

Collaboration brings together complementary strengths to jointly pursue high-impact opportunities in Pakistan and international markets.

Indus Cloud signs strategic partnership agreement with PTCL to deliver cloud excellence

The partnership marks a significant step in Indus Cloud’s and PTCL’s joint efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s cloud and data centre infrastructure and expand access to enterprise-grade digital services in the country.