In a significant development, senior member of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Khawaja Asif has raised concerns regarding alleged military interference in the legislative process during the previous government led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Asif’s claims center around the influence reportedly exerted by former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa and former spymaster Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hameed over legislative processes during the PTI’s tenure. He stated that consultations for legislation would occur at military “messes,” implying a potential breach of civilian oversight and democratic norms.
The PML-N leader further contends that such alleged interference resulted in the passage of certain laws, the repercussions of which the country continues to face. He expressed his belief that all stakeholders, including the military, should prioritize national interests and collaborate constructively.
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global watchdog on terror financing and money laundering, placed Pakistan on its “grey list” in 2018. This designation indicated that Pakistan had strategic deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CTF) framework. In response, Pakistan worked with the FATF to implement action plans addressing these weaknesses. As a result of its progress, Pakistan was removed from the grey list in October 2022, signaling a significant improvement in its AML/CTF regime. However, ongoing monitoring continues to ensure Pakistan’s commitment to combating financial crimes and terrorism financing.
February 29 2024
Source: Express Tribune