The capacity deficit

National Counter Terrorism Authority has declined responsibility for the compilation of the National Risk Assessment

Following hot on the heels of the disgraceful way in which assorted agencies handled their role in the recent election comes the news that the National Counter Terrorism Authority has declined responsibility for the compilation of a crucial report — the National Risk Assessment (NRA). Why the NRA is of such importance is that it demonstrates to the wider world that Pakistan is able to combat the financing of terrorism.

The Asia Pacific Group is sending a team of assessors to Pakistan arriving on August 13. It is a regional body of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) reporting on the compliance of all member states. It will be recalled that the FATF has recently grey-listed Pakistan as there were concerns about compliance, and now what ought to be the nation’s lead agency when it comes to counter-terror declares that it does not have the capacity to compile an essential report. In a bullet to the other foot, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) declares it is unable to do so either.

The two national apex agencies, both of which ought to be up to par and on point with all matters pertaining to the FATF, have walked away from a primary function. It might be assumed that neither is worth the paper they are so faintly printed on and unworthy of the considerable budgets that both are allocated annually. Nacta in its defence says it has been hobbled and resource-starved for years, and it may be that its plea of incapacity is justified but the same cannot be said for the FIA.

From June 2018 Pakistan has been on a list of countries deemed to financially aid terrorism and promote money laundering for terror groups. This is the kind of listing that attracts global attention. Other governments watch and take note. The NEC has feebly announced that it is to form a review group to write parts of the NRA and to prepare to engage with the APG. Cue the sound of stable doors crashing shut as horses gallop up the road. And those financing terror? Laughing all the way to the bank.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4th, 2018.

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