UK puts Pakistan on high-risk countries list over money laundering, terror financing

The UK has added Pakistan to its list of 21 "high-risk countries" over money laundering and terror financing charges. Pakistan condemned the move, saying it was "politically motivated".

In a move that could impact Pakistan's chances of getting off the FATF's grey list, the United Kingdom (UK) on Sunday added the country to its list of 21 "high-risk countries" over money laundering and terror financing charges. The UK added Pakistan in 'Amendment of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2021' listing. The regulation came into effect on March 26. Pakistan condemned the UK's move to add it to the list. Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said the UK's decision to include Pakistan in the list of 'Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing High-Risk Countries' was not based on facts and are "politically motivated". Hafeez Chaudhri hoped that the "UK would review its regulations in light of facts on the ground and avoid politically motivated and misplaced measures."