Shah Mahmood Qureshi briefs Mike Pompeo about addressing FATF concerns: Officials

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday, June 18 briefed his American counterpart Mike Pompeo about steps taken by Islamab to dress concerns raised by Financial Action Task Force (FATF), including curbing terror funding activities in country.

Qureshi, who is on an official visit to UK, h a telephonic call with Pompeo to discuss bilateral relations and regional peace and security, according to a statement issued by Foreign Office.

Paris-based international terror financing watchdog FATF in June last year placed Pakistan onto its watch list in a bid to push country to halt support for militant groups.

In February, FATF decided to continue 'Grey' listing of Pakistan for its failure to stop funding of terrorist groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jamat ud Dawa (JuD).

A 10-member Pakistani delegation last month attended a two-day meeting of FATF's Asia-Pacific Group (APG) in Guangzhou, China where it defended Pakistan's efforts against money laundering and terror financing.

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He also spoke about steps that Pakistan has been taking for compliance with FATF action plan. In this context, he highlighted regulatory mechanisms that have been put in place to curb money laundering and terror financing practices, statement said.

In March, bowing down to international pressure, Pakistan launched a major crackdown on JeM, JuD, Falah-i-Insaniyat Foundation, and or banned outfits and took over control of ir assets throughout country.

Qureshi also briefed Pompeo about steps being taken by Pakistan in accordance with National Action Plan to counter terrorism and initiatives to carry out ecomic restructuring.

two sides also discussed reconciliation process in Afghanistan and expressed a commitment to work towards bringing lasting peace in region.

Underscoring importance of a peaceful Afghanistan as vital for regional peace and stability, he reaffirmed Pakistan's resolve to play a positive role in this process and support an intra-Afghan dialogue.

He also highlighted Afghanistan Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) as a mechanism for strengning bilateral relations between two countries and to have constructive engment.

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Qureshi underlined high importance Pakistan attaches to peace with all its neighbours and reiterated government's priority to resolve all outstanding disputes through dialogue and engment, FO statement said without naming any country.

Qureshi is in UK on an official visit and met home secretary Sajid Javid to discuss various bilateral issued. two sides also on Monday kicked off first round of long-ranging strategic dialogue to deepen cooperation.