ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister has reiterated Pakistan’s high-level commitment to continue aligning Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism regime with global standards.
In a statement o Sunday, the foreign minister said the announcement by the Financial Action Task Force plenary of granting an on-site visit to Pakistan is a welcome development.
The Foreign Minister said we look forward to the on-site visit and a successful and early culmination of the process leading to Pakistan’s exit from the grey list.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also commended the hard work and dedicated efforts of Pakistan’s FATF team that have led to the successful completion of all technical requirements of both FATF Action Plans.
He welcomed the FATF’s unanimous acknowledgment of completing its 2018 and 2021 Action Plans, adding it was the “result of concerted national efforts and complete harmony of interests by all stakeholders”.
“I would like to commend the hard work and dedicated efforts of Pakistan’s FATF team that have led to the successful completion of all technical requirements of both FATF Action Plans,” he said,
He said Pakistan is committed to continuing this positive trajectory of reforming the financial sector as part of its larger strategic objective of strengthening the national economy.
The foreign minister expressed the confidence that this good news from FATF will restore confidence in Pakistan’s economy and act as a catalyst for sustained growth and development.
A day earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif telephoned all persons relevant to the success of Pakistan in meeting the conditions set by FATF and congratulated them on the important success of Pakistan.
The prime minister held a telephonic conversation with Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and appreciated his efforts made during the process of FATF for removal of Pakistan from the grey list.
The foreign minister informed him that the entire team at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs deserves credit for their efforts. He said they will strive to bring the nation out of difficult situations.
PM Shehbaz Sharif also telephoned Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and congratulated him on the important achievement.
He lauded the decision of the army chief to establish core cell in the General Headquarters. He felicitated all the civil and military leadership and their team which was part of the core cell. Talking to the army chief, the prime minister said the nation was proud of every person who worked for the success of Pakistan.
He also commended over the phone Minister for Finance Miftah Ismail and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and their teams for achieving the important milestone.
