Topic Of The Day:-“Terror timeline: on FATF advisory to Pakistan“
The FATF must impress upon Pakistan the need to take meaningful action
The statement of the Financial Action Task Force in Paris is another message to Islamabad from the international community of the mounting costs of its decades-old lax policy towards terror groups. Significantly, it came a week after the February 14 Pulwama attack, and the global terror finance watchdog condemned, in no uncertain terms, the suicide bombing of the CRPF convoy that left 40 personnel dead. It issued a 10-point advisory to Pakistan if it wants to be out of the “grey list” of countries posing a “risk to the international system”. Pakistan has been on the grey list since June 2018, and will be required to show compliance or face being “black-listed” by the session in October 2019. A black-list would mean enhanced financial scrutiny of its government, possible sanctions against its central bank, and a downgrade of its financial and credit institutions. This is something Pakistan, already facing an acute debt crisis, can ill-afford. Amongst the FATF’s stern observations of what it called Pakistan’s lack of “understanding” of the terror finance risks posed by groups, such as the Taliban, al-Qaeda, Islamic State, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, was a clear message: Islamabad must visibly demonstrate that it has taken measures to crack down on and shut down the infrastructure and finances of these groups. The first deadline to show results is May 2019, with a review in June. This goes even beyond the Security Council guidelines under its 1267 listing, that oblige Pakistan to ensure that terror entities do not travel out of the country, or have access to funding or weaponry.
Proof that Pakistantook on board the FATF’s warnings and potential action came even as the plenary was under way. Prime Minister Imran Khan held a meeting of his national security officials, and vowed to double down to tackle terror groups in Pakistan and to put two Hafiz Saeed-led LeT offshoots, the Jamaat ud Dawa and the Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation, on its schedule (1) list of banned organisations. A day later, security forces took over “administrative control” of a madrasa in Bahawalpur believed to be run by the Masood Azhar-led JeM, which was behind the Pulwama attack. But the measures do not go far enough or inspire confidence. Mr. Khan’s own speech in response to India’s demand for action on those responsible for Pulwama was a disappointing mix of denial and opportunism to raise the Kashmir issue. The banning of the JuD and the FIF doesn’t appear to have affected the groups in the slightest, and a day after taking over the Bahawalpur seminary, Pakistan’s Information Minister announced that its links to the JeM were simply “Indian propaganda”. The world community must make it clear to the Pakistan government the possible international and financial repercussions of ignoring the FATF’s timeline.
MEANINGS AND WORDS
1) mounting
Meaning : a backing, setting, or support for something(n).
Tamil Meaning : பெருகிவரும்
Synonyms : escalate
Antonyms : decrease
Example : “he pulled the curtain rail from its mounting”
2) condemned
Meaning : sentenced to a particular punishment, especially death(adj).
Tamil Meaning : கண்டனம்
Synonyms : convicted
Antonyms : cleared
Example : “condemned prisoners awaiting execution”
3) convoy
Meaning : a group of ships or vehicles travelling together, typically one accompanied by armed troops, warships, or other vehicles for protection(n).
Synonyms : companion
Antonyms : neglect
Example : “a convoy of lorries”
4) posing
Meaning : present or constitute (a problem or danger)(v).
Tamil Meaning : விடுப்பதாகவும்
Synonyms : model
Antonyms : Withhold
Example : “the sheer number of visitors is posing a threat to the area”
5) compliance
Meaning : the action or fact of complying with a wish or command(n).
Tamil Meaning : இணக்கம்
Synonyms : conformity
Antonyms : difference
Example : “the ways in which the state maintains order and compliance”
6) enhanced
Meaning : intensify, increase, or further improve the quality, value, or extent of(v).
Tamil Meaning : மேம்பட்ட
Synonyms : appreciate
Antonyms : neglect
Example : “his refusal does nothing to enhance his reputation”
7) scrutiny
Meaning : critical observation or examination(n).
Tamil Meaning : கண்காணிப்பின்
Synonyms : inquiry
Antonyms : neglect
Example : “every aspect of local government was placed under scrutiny“
8) oblige
Meaning : make (someone) legally or morally bound to do something(v).
Synonyms : constrain
Antonyms : delay
Example : “doctors are obliged by law to keep patients alive while there is a chance of recovery”
9) ensure
Meaning : make certain that (something) will occur or be the case.
Tamil Meaning : உறுதி
Synonyms : assure
Antonyms : endanger
Example : “the client must ensure that accurate records are kept”
10) plenary
Meaning : unqualified; absolute(adj).
Tamil Meaning : முழுமையான
Synonyms : complete
Antonyms : incomplete
Example : “crusaders were offered a plenary indulgence by the Pope”
11) vowed
Meaning : solemnly promise to do a specified thing(v).
Tamil Meaning : சபதம்
Synonyms : assure
Antonyms : deny
Example : “the rebels vowed to continue fighting”
12) denial
Meaning : the action of denying something(n)
Tamil Meaning : மறுப்பு
Synonyms : rebuttal
Antonyms : allowance
Example : “she shook her head in denial“
13) repercussions
Meaning : an unintended consequence of an event or action, especially an unwelcome one(n).
Tamil Meaning : தாக்கங்கள்
Synonyms : fallout
Antonyms : cause
Example : “the move would have grave repercussions for the entire region”
