The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recently removed Pakistan from its grey list on terror financing, and it was clear that the US wanted it that way. However, what might have triggered this change in the US stance ? Due to its inability to act against terror, Pakistan was on the FATF grey list for the past four years. Many countries also imposed sanctions on the rogue country. However, Pakistan refused to mend its ways and supported the terror factory.
1. The US was the driving force behind FATF’s decision to remove Pakistan from the grey list
At a time when Pakistan’s unabated support to terrorist activities could have compelled the FATF to put it on its black list on terror financing, FATF removed it from its grey list. It was clear that the US made some arrangements behind the scenes that forced the Paris-based terror-funding watchdog FATF to act against what people would expect.
We must realise that the FATF functions under the instructions of US. This was evident from its warning to remove Germany from its membership. This warning was an early sign of its intent to remove Pakistan from the grey list – Use the Pakistani terror factory against Russia.
2. Preventing Russia from participating in various FATF projects and programmes
When FATF removed Pakistan from its grey list, it also prevented Russia from participating in various FATF projects and programmes to curb terror financing. The President of FATF justified Russia’s forced isolation from the task force as a fallout of its war against Ukraine. He denounced the war on Ukraine and stated that FATF would impose severe restrictions on Russia if it continued with the onslaught. The US was the driving force behind this change in the FATF stance on Russia.
We all are aware of the current state of US-Russia relations. We must realise that the US wanted Ukraine to be part of NATO to isolate Russia. The US conveniently imposed war on Ukraine and left it high and dry.
3. America’s devious plan : Use the Pak terror factory against Russia
The US wanted to play a ‘Policeman’ during the war between Russia and Ukraine. However, US President Joe Biden could not do anything against President Putin. The US and its allies together could not succeed in deterring Russia. Since the US realised that the warnings failed to bring about the desired result as Russia continued with its onslaught, the angry and annoyed US demanded Pakistan be removed from the FATF grey list so that it could freely use the Pakistani terror factory against Russia.
4. The renewed US engagement with Pakistan can have disastrous consequences for the entire world
The US has adopted a new strategy concerning Pakistan and has openly supported the rogue country on many fronts in the past few months. Pakistan’s removal from the grey list on terror financing is one such favour. The US has given $ 450 million (Rs 3,650 crore) to Pakistan as maintenance cost for the F-16 fighter jets. We all know how Pakistan will use such funds.
Pakistan will find it easier to seek monetary support and loans from other countries as FATF has removed it from its grey list. Pakistan will use most of this funding for terrorist activities, while the US will ensure that Pakistan sends the output of its terror factory to Russia. This suggests that the renewed US engagement with Pakistan can have disastrous consequences for the world.
5. The US does not walk the talk
Dr S Jaishankar, India’s Minister of External Affairs, had warned the US about this, but the US conveniently chose to ignore it. On the one hand, the US President told the world that Pakistan was the most dangerous country, while on the other, he comforted the rogue country Pakistan with the FATF action. Hence, it proves that the US does not walk the talk. The breeding ground for terrorists will get a new lease on life, and one day, it will cost dearly to the US.
We should not forget what the US-funded Osama bin Laden did to the global superpower.
– Mahesh Puranik (Courtesy : Daily ‘Mumbai Tarun Bharat’)
The US has adopted a new strategy concerning Pakistan and has openly supported the rogue country on many fronts !