ISLAMABAD: India has formally submitted recent remarks by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), presenting them as evidence that Pakistan continues to support terrorist groups, global watchdog officials confirmed.
According to FATF sources, New Delhi highlighted Gandapur’s controversial statement where he said, “We arrest the Taliban, but our own institutions get them released, claiming they are their people.” The Indian government has cited this as a direct admission that Pakistani institutions are allegedly complicit in supporting militant elements.
The statement — which had already stirred backlash within Pakistan — is now being used by India to advocate for Pakistan’s return to FATF’s “increased monitoring” list, widely known as the grey list.
Indian authorities have described Gandapur’s comment as proof that Pakistan has not effectively curbed support for terrorist actors. They argue that such an admission by a sitting chief minister underscores systemic issues, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which they described as a terrorism-affected region.
FATF officials noted that India framed the submission as a formal charge sheet, urging the watchdog to reassess Pakistan’s compliance with global anti-terror financing standards.
Pakistan was removed from the FATF grey list in 2022 after significant reforms, a move that improved its global image and allowed better access to international financial assistance. During its previous listing from 2018 to 2022, Pakistan had faced increased scrutiny and monitoring over flaws in its financial and counter-terror financing systems.
The current Indian move comes as Pakistan continues to navigate serious economic challenges, and any potential re-listing could hamper progress made in the past two years.
