Pakistan, which was already troubled by Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) decision to keep the Islamic nation in the Grey list, is in a bit of a predicament because now, Indian agencies have planned to highlight its inaction in the Pulwama, 26/11 Mumbai attack and Daniel Pearl murder cases when the task force meets for its next plenary in October.
“The Pakistani establishment has to prove that it is serious about dismantling the terror-funding infrastructure, which is possible only by ensuring that cases against the key figures and organizations involved in raising funds and masterminding terror attacks attain finality and such elements are punished. Given that no such concrete steps are being taken, we need to flag the issue,” said a government official.
A deadline looms over Pakistan and if it does not comply with the remaining 13 conditions laid out by the FATF in its 27-point Action Plan, which includes curbing terror financing and enforcing laws against the proscribed organizations, it could be black-listed. It is to be noted here that Pakistan has been on the FATF ‘Grey List’ since June 2018.
Indian agencies are sharing details with key FATF members of the Pulwama attack in February 2019, in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel lost their lives and many were injured.
Earlier, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had arrested an alleged Jaish-e-Mohammad conduit for providing shelter and logistical support to those involved in the Pulwama attack. The NIA said the accused named Bilal Ahmed Kuchey had arranged phones for the conspirators to facilitate their communication with Pakistan-based handlers and also prepare a video clip of the attack.
Another case pertains to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks carried out by the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in 2008, in which six U.S. citizens were killed. A case against seven accused, including Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, has been pending before a Pakistan anti-terror court since 2009.
The Daniel Pearl abduction and murder case has also not attained finality in terms of action against those involved.
To avoid being black-listed, Pakistani government will have to prove that it is serious about dismantling the terror funding infrastructure. This is possible only by ensuring that cases against the key figures and organizations involved in raising funds and masterminding terror attacks attain finality and such elements are punished.
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