Pakistan exits anti-terror body FATF grey list, strategic concerns rise for India

In a big global development, Pakistan, criticised for sheltering and harbouring terrorist organisations, was dropped from the grey list of Financial Action Task Force's Grey List - where it was subjected to strict monitoring on receipt of foreign funds.

The FATF's jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring, often referred to as 'grey list', added the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Tanzania and Mozambique to the list. Along with Pakistan, Nicaragua was also removed from FATF's Grey List.

"No longer subject to FATF's increased monitoring process; to continue to work with APG (Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering) to further improve its AML/CFT (anti-money laundering & counter-terrorist financing) system," FATF said in a statement. 

The development comes as big setback for India and PM Narendra Modi's dispensation - that has left no stone unturned to corner Islamabad on world stage. 

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif rejoiced over the Financial Action Task Force`s (FATF) exclusion of Islamabad from its grey list after four long years, the group which combat money laundering and terrorist financing. "Pakistan exiting the FATF grey list is a vindication of our determined and sustained efforts over the years. I would like to congratulate our civil & military leadership as well as all institutions whose hard work led to today`s success. Aap sab ko bohat bohat Mubarak :)," tweeted the Pak PM.

Pakistan has been taken out from Financial Action Task Force`s (FATF) `grey list` with the global watchdog stating that Islamabad would continue to work with the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering to further improve its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) system. Shehbaz further commended the role and efforts of Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto, Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa for putting up a united front to get Pakistan out of the grey list.

"I would particularly commend the role & efforts of Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto, Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and their teams & all political parties for putting up a united front to get Pakistan out of the grey list. Alhumdulillah!" tweeted Shehbaz.