A top Chinese foreign ministry official has condemned attempts to include Pakistan in Financial Action Task Force’s blacklist and has stated that the forum should not be politicised by countries to pursue their agenda.
While speaking to a group of Pakistan journalists at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Asian Affairs Deputy Director General Yao Wen stated, “China does not want the FATF to be politicised by any single country. There are some countries which want to include Pakistan in the blacklist. They have political designs which China is against.”
Wen stated that China had blocked attempts to include Pakistan in the blacklist, adding, “We made it clear to the US and India that we cannot do it. It goes beyond the purpose of FATF.”
Wen stated that the forum was supposed to support a country to counter terror financing. He added, “Pakistan was effectively pursuing its National Action Plan and China encouraged it to act against terrorists and strengthen its system.”
The Chinese official was of the opinion that FATF member countries should assist Pakistan in improving its system rather than pressurising it.
Besides China, Pakistan was also provided support by Turkey and Malaysia in FATF’s October meeting.
The meeting, held in Paris, reviewed the measures the country had taken to counter money laundering and terror financing. The global watchdog had given Pakistan a four-month lifeline to complete its action plan by February 2020.
While speaking to a group of Pakistan journalists at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Asian Affairs Deputy Director General Yao Wen stated, “China does not want the FATF to be politicised by any single country. There are some countries which want to include Pakistan in the blacklist. They have political designs which China is against.”
Wen stated that China had blocked attempts to include Pakistan in the blacklist, adding, “We made it clear to the US and India that we cannot do it. It goes beyond the purpose of FATF.”
Wen stated that the forum was supposed to support a country to counter terror financing. He added, “Pakistan was effectively pursuing its National Action Plan and China encouraged it to act against terrorists and strengthen its system.”
The Chinese official was of the opinion that FATF member countries should assist Pakistan in improving its system rather than pressurising it.
Besides China, Pakistan was also provided support by Turkey and Malaysia in FATF’s October meeting.
The meeting, held in Paris, reviewed the measures the country had taken to counter money laundering and terror financing. The global watchdog had given Pakistan a four-month lifeline to complete its action plan by February 2020.