Wells praises progress on FATF

The US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Alice Wells on Monday appreciated Pakistan's 'significant progress' made on the measures in compliance with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) action plan in 'quite a short period of time', said the Interior Ministry.

Alice Wells arrived here on Sunday on a four-day visit from January 19-22 to hold talks with senior government officials on issues of bilateral and regional concerns.

According to a handout issued to media, the Interior Ministry said that the visiting top US diplomat called on Minister for Interior Brig Ijaz Shah (retd) on Monday and exchanged views on security and internal situations. The two sides agreed to work together for enhancing the bilateral ties.

It stated that a delegation of Ministry of Interior explained in detail the progress made on FATF matters assigned to Interior Ministry. Additional Secretary said that there has been a significant progress on both legislative and administrative matters, adding that execution process has also been completed to a greater extent.

"It is heartening to note that Pakistan's central government has made significant progress on these matters in quite a short period of time," Wells was quoted as saying in the Interior Ministry's handout. In response, the interior minister said that these steps are also important and welcoming for Pakistan's development.

It further stated that the interior minister also updated the US diplomat on the steps undertaken to address the issue of illegal Pakistani immigrants, adding that the issue has been resolved to a great extent.

"We appreciate the Pakistan government's cooperation on the matter [of illegal immigrants]," Wells was further quoted as having said, adding that the US administration wants to come up with a strong system that could also be helpful in the future. The interior minister welcomed the idea of a new system to deal with the illegal immigrants, adding that a stronger system to verify travel documents has already been put in place. He further updated Wells that the report of the cases addressed during the months of November and December of 2019 and January 2020 has also been submitted to the US Embassy in Islamabad which the latter appreciated.

The interior minister also apprised the US diplomat of the process of registration of international non-governmental organizations (INGOs). He said that the organizations, about which there are reservations, are given the chance to present their perspective, adding that those fulfilling the set standards are not facing any problem in their work. Earlier in the day, Alice Wells met Prime Minister's Adviser on Commerce, Textile, Industry & Production and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood. In a series of tweets, Dawood said that the US is eager to increase the trade potential between the two countries and also handed over some suggestions on the utilization of general system of preferences which his ministry will examine and hold appropriate discussions with the US administration.

"(I) Met the US Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Alice Wells. The US is eager to increase the trade potential between our two nations. Ms. Wells is of the opinion that agriculture is one sector where immediate progress can be made," the adviser said in a tweet.

"The [Principal Deputy] Assistant Secretary handed over some suggestions on the utilization of general system of preferences which the MOC [Ministry of Commerce] will examine and hold appropriate discussions with the US administration," he further tweeted.

The adviser further stated that Wells appreciated the role of several prominent US companies working very successfully in Pakistan for a long time, and assured keen interest of several others to come in Pakistan. "This will further strengthen Pak-US economic and trade relationship," he said.

In a tweet, Wells stated that Pakistan's economic reforms are making it more attractive environment for US businessmen. "US-PAK share goal of increasing bilateral trade. Pakistan's econ [economic] reforms are making it more attractive environment for US biz, moving 28 slots in World Bank's Ease of Doing Business ranks in 2019. Glad to meet Commerce Advisor Abdul Razak Dawood to discuss this progress", Wells stated in a tweet.

The visiting top US diplomat will hold talks with Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood in the Foreign Office today (Tuesday) which will cover the entire gamut of bilateral relations and regional situation including the Afghan peace process, sources said. Wells' visit to Pakistan is taking place in the backdrop of Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi's recent visit to Washington where he held talks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, National Security Adviser Robert O' Brien, and Under Secretary of Defense John Rood.