ON EXPECTED lines the Paris plenary of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has continued Pakistan on increased monitoring list for serious deficiencies in checking terror financing and money laundering. Pakistan will remain on the ‘grey’ list till it addresses all 27 action items before the next plenary. On the face of it Pakistan’s continuance in the ‘grey’ list may look a tight rebuke for its failure in taking action against UN-designated terrorist and their associates.

 

However, by avoiding the dreaded ‘black’ list, the terror hub in the Asian sub-continent has got another lifeline till the FATF meets again for next round of deliberations. Though there were talks of Pakistan exhausting its last resource when China exited the FATF chair last year, the new chair, too, seems to have taken the oft-tread path by allowing it another chance to get the house in order. Security experts, however, were anticipating such move in view of Pakistan’s current role in the Afghanistan peace process. No one should lose sight of the fact that most western countries with troops in Afghanistan are keen on getting out of the war zone. The drawdown is possible only if Pakistan persuades the Taliban to stick to the peace process initiated by the US.