ISLAMABAD – Finance Minister Asad Umar has said that India desires to harmthe economic interests of Pakistan.
In a letter to President of Financial Action Task Force MarshallBillingslea, he asked to appoint any other member of FATF as co-chair ofthe Asia-Pacific Joint Group, in place of India, to ensure that FATF reviewprocess is fair, unbiased and objective.
The Finance Minister said India’s animosity towards Pakistan is well knownand the recent violation of Pakistan’s airspace and dropping of bombsinside Pakistani territory are another manifestation of India’s hostileattitude.
The letter referred to Indian Finance Minister’s statement regardingefforts for global isolation of Pakistan and Indian call for blacklistingof Pakistan during the International Country Risk Guide ( ICRG) meeting onFebruary 18, 2019.
The Minister stated that Pakistan firmly believes that India’s involvementin the ICRG process will not be fair towards Pakistan.
The Finance Minister urged that FATF appoint another country as co-chair ofthe Joint Group instead of India to ensure an impartial assessment ofPakistan’s progress in regard to the FATF Action Plan. ‘
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He said ICRG and FATF meetings must not be allowed to be used as a platformby India to make political speeches against Pakistan.
The Minister assured the FATF President that ‘Pakistan remains firm in itscommitment to work with FATF/ICRG and the Joint Group and to implement theAction Plan.
Earlier, Pakistan raised its concern with the Asia Pacific Group in Junelast year, over India’s negative attitude and its intentions to hurtPakistan’s interests but no action was taken in regard to re-composition ofthe Joint Group.
