National Assembly Passes Two FATF Related Bills
Pakistan government on Wednesday passed two bills related to Financial Action Task Force (FATF) through the National Assembly. Moreover, the United Nations Security Council (Amendment) Bill, 2020, and the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2020 were proceeded by the advisor to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan.
Bills Aim to Achieve FATF Requirements
In addition to this, the two bills sponsored by the government to the National Assembly aim to fulfill the requirements of FATF. Which is an intergovernmental organization setting international policies against terrorism funding and money laundering? Alternatively, in June 2019, Pakistan was cited in the grey list of FATF. The government needs to fulfill the 27-point action plan to emerge from the grey zone, fending off its blacklist non-compliant countries.
Similarly, considering the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and implementing numerous measures. The legislation empowers the federal government to direct the higher authorities to take measures. Which include seizure of assets, the arms embargo on entities and individual, ban on travel identified on the United Nations sanctions list.
Opposition Protest Against the Bills
Moreover, the opposition protested against not giving a chance in the voting of the bill. Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi indicated them of linking FATF-related bills with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Ordinance 1999, 35 proposed amendments. Adding to it, He said, the opposition will lend support only if the government lifts the NAB and FAFT amendments.
In his remarks, PML-N’s Khawaja Asif rejected claims made by Qureshi, stating, “We don’t need any concessions”. Additionally, he further stated a parliamentary committee has formed to discuss the consensus.
Opposition Seeks Senate
Similarly, the three leaders, PML-N president and opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif, PPP\’s Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, and (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman negotiated to form a committee including senators from joint opposition in the country’s best interest.
