ISLAMABAD: Pakistani officials say the government has approved fresh measures to avoid being blacklisted by an international group that monitors money laundering and terror financing.
Three officials say the measures adopted Tuesday would prevent suspected militants from operating bank accounts and illegally transferring money by air, land and sea. They spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the decision with reporters.
The Paris-based Financial Action Task Force placed Pakistan on a “grey list” earlier this year but gave it time to take action before a further downgrade. Pakistan fears the listing could deter foreign investors and hinder its access to international markets as it grapples with a fiscal crisis.
Pakistan is set to submit a compliance report to the FATF the first week of January.
Pakistan takes measures to avoid terror finance blacklist
Pakistan takes measures to avoid terror finance blacklist
- The measures would prevent suspected militants from operating bank accounts and illegally transferring money by air, land and sea
- A compliance report will be submitted to the FATF in the first week of January
From Karachi to Lahore, free iftar spreads relief during Ramadan
- Pakistan has increasingly experimented with targeted subsidies and digital systems to manage food affordability during Ramadan
- Last week, PM Shehbaz Sharif launched $136 million relief package, pledging digital cash transfers to 12.1 million low-income families
ISLAMABAD: Mosques in Pakistan’s megacities Karachi and Lahore provide free iftar meal for the poor to break the fast during Ramadan, residents said.
Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, where Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset.
This is followed by the sighting of the new moon and is marked by Eid-ul-Fitr, a religious holiday and celebration that is observed by Muslims across the world.
In Karachi, hundreds of people rush to sellers of traditional snacks to break the fast.
“You have to be patient, worship Allah, and keep Allah pleased by fulfilling your duties as described by Prophet Muhammad,” said Munir Qadri, a Karachi resident.
“Yes, Allah has also allowed you to have a good iftar, but we must also think of the poor. All the people should eat equally, and may everyone receives the blessings of this Ramadan.”
Saad Sharif, another Karachi dweller, complained of higher food and commodity prices this Ramadan.
“The prices of everything are increasing,” he said.
“Petrol has become expensive, we can’t do anything about it. Flour has become expensive. Electricity, water, and gas, everything has become costly.”
Pakistan has increasingly experimented with targeted subsidies and digital systems to manage food affordability during Ramadan, when consumption rises sharply and lower-income households face pressure after years of high inflation.
Last week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched a Rs38 billion ($136 million) Ramadan relief package, pledging direct digital cash transfers of Rs13,000 ($47) each to 12.1 million low-income families across Pakistan.
Yet hundreds of Muslims flock to the Data Darbar, a historical shrine in the eastern city of Lahore, and sit on floor as volunteers distribute free food and drinks during iftar and sehri, post-sunset and pre-dawn meals.
Qari Muhammad Younus, an elderly man in Lahore, said that collective iftar holds great importance and there is huge divine reward for the ones who offer iftar to those with no means.
“There are countless [people] here, 24 hours, day and night, and there is more than enough food from iftar till sehri,” he said.
“There is so much food here that iftar at Data Darbar is second only to iftar at Prophet’s Mosque.”
Mushtaq Ahmad, a Lahore resident, said Allah Almighty asks Muslims to “spend out of what I have provided for you as sustenance.”
“And that includes these iftar meals. May Allah Almighty incline us toward such good deeds,” he added.
