Joint session of parliament summoned today to discuss FATF-related bills

The government has summoned the joint session of parliament on Thursday (today) at 3pm to discuss the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-related bills, which sailed through the National Assembly on Wednesday.

Sources said, as per the government’s strategy, the FATF-related bills would be approved by the joint session of parliament if the Senate disapproves it. The upper house is scheduled to meet today at 11am.

Moreover, the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice meeting has also been called at 10am to discuss legislative business related to the FATF and national matters.

It is pertinent to mention that two bills related to the FATF were passed on Wednesday in the National Assembly while one has already been approved.

the Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2020 and The United Nations (Security Council) (Amendment) Bill, 2020 sailed through the National Assembly to help fulfil international obligations against terror financing.

The legislation is related to fulfil certain requirements of FATF in order to bring Pakistan out of its grey list.

It is aimed at empowering the federal government to direct authorities in Pakistan to implement various measures, in the Security Council resolutions including the freezing and seizure of assets, travel ban and arms embargo on the entities and individuals, who are designated on the sanctions list of the United Nations.

UN Security Council Resolution 1373 requires member states to implement counter terrorism measures, especially countering the financing of terrorism through their domestic laws. This obligation is implemented in Pakistan through Anti-Pakistan Act, 1997.

Speaking on the flood of the house, Minister for Communication and Postal Services Murad Saeed said there will be no compromise on accountability and no NRO will be extended to anyone.

It is regrettable that the opposition parties want NRO and are doing politics for extending support to an important legislation meant for national interest of the country.

The minister went on to say that no concession will be given to those who have plundered Pakistan.