FATF comments on state financing of terror reinforces India’s position on Pakistan: Sources

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recently made a significant move by including a separate section on state-sponsored terrorism in its latest report. This decision marks the first time the FATF has specifically addressed the issue of state-sponsored terror financing. The report highlights the involvement of Pakistan-based groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in funding terrorism. According to sources, this move strengthens India’s long-held stance on Pakistan’s role in terror financing.

FATF’s Focus on State-Sponsored Terrorism

The FATF has long been the global leader in countering terrorism financing and money laundering. Traditionally, its reports have focused on non-state actors and their efforts to fund terrorist activities. However, in this new report, the FATF has turned its attention to states that sponsor terrorism. The organization recognizes that some nations, knowingly or unknowingly, fund and support terrorist organizations. By dedicating a section to state-sponsored terrorism, the FATF acknowledges the growing problem of countries aiding and abetting terror groups.

This report sends a clear message that global efforts to fight terrorism must extend beyond just targeting non-state actors. Governments that provide financial, military, or logistical support to terrorist organizations must also be held accountable.

India’s Position on Pakistan

India has consistently pointed to Pakistan as a source of terrorism in South Asia. The country has accused Pakistan of harboring and supporting groups like LeT and JeM, which have carried out deadly attacks in India, including the 2001 Indian Parliament attack and the 2008 Mumbai attacks. For years, India has called for stronger international action against Pakistan, but these efforts have often been met with resistance.

In 2022, India intensified its calls for greater scrutiny of Pakistan’s role in terror financing. New Delhi has argued that Pakistan’s financial system enables terror organizations to raise and transfer funds, fueling violence in India and beyond. The FATF’s report directly supports India’s position by highlighting how Pakistan-based organizations, such as LeT and JeM, receive significant funding and support from state actors.

The inclusion of state-sponsored terrorism in the FATF report strengthens India’s claims that Pakistan needs to take action to curb the financing of these groups. India has long believed that Pakistan’s government, at the very least, turns a blind eye to the operations of these terrorist organizations, allowing them to flourish.

The Role of Pakistan-Based Groups LeT and JeM

LeT and JeM have been at the center of many terrorist activities in India. Both organizations are designated as terrorist groups by the United Nations, the U.S., and the European Union. These groups have carried out several attacks on Indian soil, targeting civilians, security forces, and government officials.

LeT, led by Hafiz Saeed, is infamous for the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which left over 170 people dead and hundreds more injured. JeM, led by Masood Azhar, is behind the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack. Both organizations have operated with relative freedom in Pakistan, despite being labeled as terrorists globally. The FATF report highlights the financial networks that support these groups, which are often funneled through Pakistan-based front organizations.

These groups receive funding from various sources, including donations, charities, and foreign funding networks. The FATF’s report specifically points out the role of Pakistan in allowing these networks to operate freely. This official recognition from the FATF adds weight to India’s long-standing complaints about Pakistan’s involvement in terror financing.

FATF’s Impact on Global Policy

The FATF’s decision to focus on state-sponsored terrorism marks a shift in global counter-terrorism efforts. By explicitly naming state actors that support terror organizations, the FATF provides the international community with a framework to take stronger actions against these nations.

This recognition of state-sponsored terrorism could lead to increased diplomatic pressure on Pakistan from the international community. Countries that have supported Pakistan in the past will now have to reconsider their stance, especially as the FATF’s findings gain more prominence. Countries involved in aiding terrorist organizations could face economic sanctions, travel bans, or other punitive measures.

The report also strengthens calls for greater transparency and accountability within international financial institutions. Countries that fail to prevent terror financing through their financial systems must face consequences. The FATF’s approach could force states like Pakistan to make significant changes in how they regulate financial activities and monitor terrorist funding.

India’s Response and the Path Forward

India has welcomed the FATF’s focus on state-sponsored terrorism but maintains that more needs to be done to hold Pakistan accountable. India’s position remains firm: Pakistan must cease its support of groups like LeT and JeM and dismantle their funding networks.

The FATF’s report strengthens India’s position on Pakistan’s role in terrorism. Now, the international community has a stronger basis to demand concrete action from Pakistan. While Pakistan’s government may deny any involvement in terrorism, the FATF’s report makes it clear that the world is watching and that further inaction will not be tolerated.

India is likely to continue to push for stronger measures against Pakistan, including sanctions or increased monitoring of Pakistan’s financial activities. The FATF’s findings give India a stronger platform to advocate for these actions. Moreover, the international community may be more inclined to support India’s calls for tougher actions against Pakistan.

The Broader Implications for Global Counter-Terrorism

The FATF’s report on state-sponsored terrorism has broader implications for global counter-terrorism policy. As terrorism continues to evolve, it is essential to recognize that some nations play a direct role in supporting these organizations. Addressing state-sponsored terrorism is crucial to dismantling terror networks and preventing future attacks.

The FATF’s decision to address this issue in a separate section of its report also signals the growing recognition of the need for stronger global cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts. Countries must work together to cut off the financial lifeblood of terrorist organizations and prevent states from using terror as a tool of foreign policy.

Conclusion

The FATF’s inclusion of state-sponsored terrorism in its latest report is a landmark development in the global fight against terrorism. By specifically naming Pakistan-based groups like LeT and JeM, the FATF reinforces India’s long-standing position on the role of Pakistan in terror financing. This move paves the way for stronger international action against Pakistan and other nations that support terrorism.

The report marks a critical moment in the fight against terrorism. It underscores the need for nations to take responsibility for their role in supporting or failing to combat terror financing. Moving forward, the FATF’s report could prompt stronger diplomatic measures and sanctions against countries like Pakistan, furthering global efforts to combat terrorism and prevent future attacks.

India’s continued advocacy, backed by the FATF’s findings, will be crucial in ensuring that Pakistan takes tangible steps to end its support of terrorist organizations. The global community must now stand united in its resolve to hold accountable those who finance and support terror.