The United States has acknowledged Pakistan’s “additional progress in 2020” to curb terror financing and money laundering in compliance with the action plan of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to get off the grey list.
The US Department of State said in its annual report, ‘Country Reports on Terrorism 2020’, has also acknowledged Pakistan’s crucial role in the Afghan peace process, saying Islamabad encouraged the Afghan Taliban to reduce violence in Afghanistan.
“At the October FATF plenary, FATF member states acknowledged Pakistan had largely addressed 21 of its 27 action plan items and partially addressed the remaining,” the report said. “FATF member states agreed to keep Pakistan on the FATF gray list through FATF’s 2021 plenary.”
It said, “Pakistan did make positive contributions to the Afghanistan peace process, such as, encouraging Taliban reductions in violence.” It said that the US government recognises Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan and broader regional security.
The US also welcomed anti-terror efforts by the Pakistani military and security forces, saying in 2020 Pakistan restrained “India-focused militant groups from conducting attacks”.
“Pakistani military and security forces undertook CT operations against groups that conducted attacks within Pakistan, such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), ISIS-K, and the Balochistan Liberation Army,” the report said.—TLTP
