BE MORE CAREFUL
As the Paris-based anti-money laundering watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has removed the neighbouring country Pakistan from its ‘grey list’, things have become more precarious as far as India is concerned. In this context, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi has rightly expressed apprehensions about remaining cautious and more careful as Pakistan’s next step could not be predicted for the country being unpredictable and in the hands of people who have done various wrongs in the past as well. India in this regard has asked the world fraternity to mount pressure on the rogue nation so that the same continue to take credible, verifiable and irreversible actions against terrorism. It is pertinent to mention that FATF has taken off Pakistan from a list of countries under increased monitoring. It is proven fact that Pakistan used to abet terrorism and terrorist financing was emanating from territories under its control in the past, and that was one of the reasons behind this country coming into tainted list of FATF. It was however good for the international fraternity that under the pressure of FATF, Pakistan took some action against well-known terrorists, including those involved in attacks against the entire international community in Mumbai on 26/11 and today it is out the grey list. Reportedly, Pakistan has been taken off the grey list in the wake of its high level political commitment in dealing with the menace and carrying out reforms in its existing monitoring mechanism. There was a 34 point agenda given by FATF to Pakistan to address the issue of money laundering and terrorism, and it seems that maximum things among the 34 have been addressed by the Pakistan leading to liberation from the grey list. It is quite imperative for Pakistan to now act prudently and keep out of menace of terrorism as already it has made an image of being hub of terrorism as many a times people used to say that no terrorist attack in the past was without a link with Pakistan. This is really bad and Pakistan should focus on other things rather than nurturing terrorism. As far as India is concerned, it needs to remain on toes as changes are there that now Pakistan can concentrate more on disrupting peace in the Valley.