Will Pakistan Return To The FATF Grey List? India Set To Present Operation Sindoor Evidence

Islamabad: International pressure may once again increase on Pakistan, which is facing allegations of patronising terrorism. India has intensified its strategy regarding the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting to be held in October. According to sources, India is preparing to present such videos and other evidence in this meeting, on the basis of which it can be shown that terrorist organisations operating in Pakistan are still getting support. If India's arguments get enough support, then the discussion of including Pakistan in FATF's grey list again may intensify.

Why is the evidence of Operation Sindoor considered important?

India is claimed to have much such visual and documentary evidence which came to light during its action against terrorism. It is being said that in these videos, the presence of people associated with Pakistan's security establishment and government machinery is visible in the funeral rites of terrorists and the programmes related to them. India wants to send a message through this evidence that despite claims of action against terrorism, the ground situation has not changed completely.

What will be India's strategy in FATF meeting?

India is preparing to raise the issue of terrorism financing and money laundering prominently in the upcoming FATF meeting in Paris. India aims to show that Pakistan has to take effective action against non-state actors operating on its soil and their financial networks. For this, India can take the help of available evidence and international cooperation.

What impact will Pakistan have from being included in the grey list?

If a country is placed in FATF's grey list, financial surveillance on it increases. Such countries may face additional challenges in attracting international investment, obtaining loans from foreign financial institutions, and conducting normal transactions in the global banking system. This may affect both the country's economy and investment environment.

When did Pakistan first come out of the grey list?

Pakistan was removed from the grey list of FATF in October 2022. At that time the organisation acknowledged that it had completed a number of corrective steps related to controlling money laundering and terrorism financing. However, now if on the basis of new evidence the international community feels that the situation is again worrying, then this issue can be discussed again.

What can happen next on the issue of terrorism?

In recent times, Pakistan has tried to present itself as a counter-terrorism ally on global forums. At the same time, India has been continuously saying that concrete and permanent action is necessary against cross-border terrorism and terrorist networks. Now the focus will be on the October meeting of FATF, where the future direction can be decided on the basis of facts and discussions presented before different countries.