FATF may discuss state sponsorship of terrorism; Pakistan entities in focus, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• FATF meetings in Paris are discussing state sponsorship of terrorism, focusing on financing of banned outfits and their proxies operating in Pakistan.
• Over 130 terror entities and individuals linked to Pakistan are on the UN Security Council’s ISIL/Al-Qaeda Sanctions List.
• The Resistance Force, a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba, was designated by the United States as a global terror outfit.
• In June, FATF condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, highlighting the necessity of funds for terrorist activities.
• Pakistan allegedly allocated four crore Pakistani rupees to LeT for its headquarters Markaz Taiba's reconstruction.

Detailed Insights:

• FATF's July report recognized state sponsorship as a longstanding terror-financing threat, including direct funding, logistics, materials, or training.
• Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), under the front of Jamaat-ud-Dawa, allegedly raised funds to rebuild its headquarters in Muridke, destroyed by the Indian Air Force on May 7.
• The Pakistani government announced it would finance reconstruction of LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed facilities, raising concerns about state support for terrorism.
• FATF is likely assessing measures Pakistan has taken to counter terror financing and address deficiencies in its regulatory framework.
• The designation of groups like The Resistance Force underscores the global focus on dismantling terror networks and their funding sources.

Key Concepts Involved:

• FATF (Financial Action Task Force): An inter-governmental body establishing international standards to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
• Terror Financing: Providing financial support to individual terrorists or terrorist groups to enable them to commit acts of terror.
• State Sponsorship of Terrorism: Government support to terrorist groups through funding, training, providing weapons, and logistical support.