New Delhi: After the terror funding watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) decided to keep Pakistan in the "grey list" till October, India on Thursday said that it vindicated its position that the country has not taken any appropriate action against terror networks operating from its soil.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava during virtual press briefing also said that Pakistan continues to be a safe haven for terrorists.
“Pakistan continues to be on the FATF's Grey List. It is yet to show action on 13 out of 27 items of its FATF Action Plan. This is despite all the deadlines of completing the action expired long ago," he said.
"The continued Greylisting of Pakistan vindicates our position that Pakistan has not taken appropriate action against terror financing and safe havens which exist in that country," Mr Srivastava added.
The FATF on June 24 decided to keep Pakistan in the "grey list" till October as it has failed to check the flow of money to terror groups like the LeT and the JeM.
The decision was taken at the FATF's third and final plenary held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"In the plenary meeting held yesterday, Pakistan`s progress on its Action Plan was not considered due to situation arising out of COVID-19, several jurisdictions including Pakistan had already been given an additional four months` time in April 2020 by the FATF," an official statement said.
Islamabad is yet to complete 13 out of 27 items suggested in its FATF Action Plan.
Its progress on its Action Plan would be evaluated in the next meeting which will be held in October 2020.
In 2018, the FATF had placed Pakistan in the grey list and it continues to be in the list since then as it has failed to comply with the tasks given by the FATF to stop terror financing.
On June 22, Pakistan had urged the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to "facilitate a lasting solution" Kashmir.
“Our position is consistent on this matter and has no ambiguity. OIC has no locus standi in matters strictly internal to India, including that of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” Mr Srivastava said.
“We have in the past also, reiterated that OIC should refrain from making unwarranted references on India,” he added.
