‘Bring Pakistan Back on Grey List’: Owaisi Urges Centre After India Secures FATF Vice Presidency

New Delhi: AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has urged the Centre to leverage India’s newly secured vice presidency of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to push for Pakistan’s return to the organization’s “grey list,” reigniting debate over Islamabad’s record on countering terror financing.

Owaisi’s remarks came shortly after India was appointed vice president of the FATF, a development widely viewed as a significant diplomatic achievement for New Delhi. The position is expected to strengthen India’s role in shaping global discussions on anti-money laundering measures and combating the financing of terrorism.

Reacting to the development, Owaisi said the government should actively pursue efforts to have Pakistan placed back on the FATF grey list. He argued that India should use every available international platform to ensure stronger action against countries accused of failing to effectively curb terror financing networks.

Pakistan was previously placed on the FATF grey list and remained under increased monitoring for several years before being removed in 2022 after the watchdog concluded that it had completed required action plans related to anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing measures. Its removal was seen as a major diplomatic victory for Islamabad.

The Hyderabad MP maintained that India’s enhanced standing within FATF presents an opportunity to raise concerns regarding cross-border terrorism and financial networks that support extremist activities. He said New Delhi should continue pressing the international community to hold accountable those responsible for facilitating terror-related financing.

India has long advocated for stronger global mechanisms to combat terrorism financing and has repeatedly highlighted the issue in international forums. Successive governments have emphasized the need for coordinated global action to dismantle financial networks that sustain extremist organizations.

The FATF, headquartered in Paris, is an intergovernmental body that develops policies and standards aimed at combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other threats to the international financial system. Countries placed on its grey list are subjected to increased monitoring and are required to address identified deficiencies within specified timelines.

India’s elevation to the FATF vice presidency is being viewed as recognition of the country’s growing influence in global financial governance and its efforts to strengthen anti-money laundering frameworks domestically. The role is expected to give New Delhi a greater voice in discussions concerning financial security and international regulatory standards.

Political reactions to Owaisi’s comments have been mixed. While some analysts agree that India should continue highlighting concerns related to terrorism financing, others note that FATF decisions are based on technical evaluations and consensus among member nations rather than unilateral demands from any single country.

The development comes amid continuing tensions between India and Pakistan over security and diplomatic issues. Against this backdrop, Owaisi’s call reflects a broader sentiment among sections of India’s political establishment that international pressure should remain focused on eliminating all forms of support for terrorism.

As India prepares to take on its expanded role within FATF, attention will be on how the country balances diplomatic engagement with its longstanding security concerns, particularly in relation to terrorism financing and regional stability.