OpsLens Video
According to a report by Reuters, the possibility of Pakistan being placed on a global terrorist financing watchlist would endanger the countries few remaining banking links to the outside world, inflicting real financial pain on the economy.
A decision is expected as soon as next week whether the US and its European allies will place the nuclear armed nation on a “gray list” of countries deemed to be doing too little to comply with anti-terrorist financing and anti-money laundering regulations.
The move is part of a broader U.S. strategy to pressure Pakistan to cut its alleged links to Islamist militants causing chaos in Afghanistan. Last month, Pakistan, which has denied such links, shrugged off a U.S. aid suspension worth $2 billion. However, according to bankers and government officials, inclusion on the FATF watchlist could inflict real damage.
