Back and forth (The Hindu)

Mains Paper 2:International Relations 
Prelims level: Financial Action Task Force
Mains level: Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate

Context:

• Pakistan’s moves to tackle terrorism on its soil, particularly cross-border terrorism, have often been described as “one step forward and one step back”.
• Terror groups have always enjoyed the broader support within the country.

Commitments:

• Pakistan government issued a “Statutory Regulatory Order” (SRO) listing that included Dawood Ibrahim, the LeT’sZaki Ur Rahman Lakhvi, and about 85 other designated terrorists.
• It directed officials to implement the UNSC committee resolutions against them.
• The listing had UNSC and Interpol information on at least five Pakistani passports and three Karachi addresses that belonged to Dawood.
• However, the MFA says that the SRO did not imply an admission that he lives there.
• Instead, it argues, the move was a routine one, as a part of Pakistan’s international commitments.
• Accordingly, Pakistan is required to align its domestic terror listings with those issued by the UNSC’s ISIL and Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee (under UNSC Resolutions 1267/1989/2253).
• Thus far, the domestic listing, maintained under the country’s Anti-Terrorism Act by the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), had not included either Dawood or Lakhvi, who was tried briefly for the 26/11 attacks but was granted bail in 2014.
• In contrast, LeT chief Hafiz Saeed and JeM chief Masood Azhar, who was designated by the UNSC in May 2019, have been added to the domestic NACTA list.
• The MFA also claims that the listing that included Dawood and Lakhvi had been issued earlier, a claim countered by Indian government sources, who say this is a first.

Ineffectiveness:

• The confusion over the SRO and Pakistan’s disclaimer give credenceto the belief that its government lacks a seriousness of purpose when it comes to its actions against all terrorists.
• If, in fact, the SRO had named these terrorists in past orders, then why has it failed to add them to its domestic listing?
• If it has included Dawood’s addresses and passports on its own SRO.
• It directed officials to ensure everyone on the list does not have access to funding, arms or travel, then for the Foreign Ministry to say it is paying lip serviceto the FATF directives, is a matter of concern.
• Finally, regardless of which list Pakistan places any of the terrorists named, and when it did so, the question is what has Pakistan done to investigate, prosecute and apprehend them?
• In October, Pakistan is expected to face some of these questions at the FATF plenary session.
• FATF will decide if its actions merit a reprievefrom the grey or “increased monitoring” list, or be downgraded to the black or “high-risk jurisdiction” list and face sanctions.

Conclusion:

• Pakistan needs to show proof of its actions on the ground, rather than going back and forth on the paperwork.
• Pakistan must fulfil its FATF obligations by acting against terrorists.

  Online Coaching for UPSC PRE Exam

  E-Books Download for UPSC IAS Exams

  General Studies Pre. Cum Mains Study Material

Prelims Questions:

Q.1)With reference to the Border Security Force, consider the following statements:

1. It was raised in 1972.
2. It is a Union Government Agency under the administrative control of Ministry of Home Affairs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: B

Mains Questions:

Q.1)Describe about the menance of terrorism. What are the steps need to be taken to root out this and why Pakistan government is failing in tackling this?