United States has denied the regime change allegations by former prime minister Imran Khan, saying that the US intended to engage with Pakistan on all levels as it had done so in the past 75 years.
US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome has said has said that United States will move forward towards engaging Pakistan. He said that there is no such agenda of regime change and US was quite clear about it.
In an interview to local media, Ambassador Blome said that this engagement with Pakistan would include all political leaders, businessmen as well as the youth.
The US ambassador emphasized that US had a very strong relation with Pakistan on counter terrorism. He said that US had always expected impartial and continued action from Pakistan against terror groups.
Ambassador Blome also appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to counter terror-financing and its prioritization of anti-money laundering measures.
Meanwhile, China and other allies are working to get Pakistan off the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list.
The next session of FATF will be held from June 14 to June 17 in Berlin.
According to media reports, China has been quietly working on lobbying to remove Pakistan from FATF grey list.
Media reports citing sources have said that the judgment of the anti-terrorism court in Lahore in April, that sentenced Lashker-e-Tayyaba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed to prison for 32 years, may also work in getting out of the FATF grey list.
Previously, FATF has lauded Pakistan’s efforts when it completed six out of seven action plans it had been assigned in June 21. However, Pakistan was asked to do more to counter money laundering.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs has prepared its presentation for the upcoming FATF session and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar is expected to participate in the session. The outcomes will be published on June 17.
