Islamabad, Jan 25 (NationPress) A recent report reveals that terrorist organizations in Pakistan persist in their operations through various proxy networks, continuing to finance and promote acts of terrorism. Despite adapting their funding strategies to avoid global scrutiny, these groups remain active, according to the findings.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) placed Pakistan on its 'grey list' three times between 2008 and 2022 due to insufficient measures to combat terror financing.

An onsite mutual evaluation conducted by the Asia-Pacific Group (APG), affiliated with the FATF, in October 2018 led to a 2019 Mutual Evaluation Report that highlighted major flaws in Pakistan’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing systems. The report noted poor enforcement of the FATF action plan, as reported by Turkish journalist Uzay Bulut in an article published in PJ Media.

In 2019, the FATF criticized Pakistan for its inadequate grasp of the terror financing risks posed by entities like the Islamic State (ISIS), Al Qaeda, Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), the Haqqani Network, and individuals associated with the Taliban.

Despite these alarming issues, the FATF indicated that Pakistan had fulfilled all 34 action plan requirements and subsequently removed the country from the grey list during its plenary meeting in France in 2022.

However, the PJ Media report asserts that Pakistan continues to foster terrorism, with militant groups now functioning through proxy organizations and employing innovative funding methods.

The report states, 'Based on credible records and open-source intelligence investigations, terror groups continue to finance and promote Islamic terrorism, though their methods have evolved.'

For instance, Jaish-e-Mohammed, designated as a terrorist organization under the United Nations 1267 sanctions regime and recognized as such by India, the US, the UK, and New Zealand, has transitioned to utilizing digital wallets, mobile payment platforms, and cryptocurrency, such as USDT, in lieu of traditional banking methods.

JeM is reportedly employing platforms like Easypaisa and Sadapay, allegedly managed by family members of its founder Masood Azhar, to circumvent international oversight. The organization is also purportedly raising funds under the guise of humanitarian aid for Gaza and for mosque construction.

The report claims that JeM has initiated fundraising campaigns to establish over 300 mosques in Pakistan.

Similarly, Lashkar-e-Taiba has reportedly adopted direct collection of funds through digital wallets instead of bank accounts to evade FATF scrutiny. Based in Punjab, Pakistan, LeT has initiated humanitarian projects to bypass sanctions, as noted by information cited from the US Congress website.

The report indicates that LeT operates training camps, educational institutions, and medical centers in Pakistan and coordinates its efforts through front organizations like Jamaat-ud-Dawa.

Furthermore, LeT has solicited donations under the pretense of flood relief and rescue operations, including calls for funds to acquire boats for disaster-affected regions.

According to the report, 'Terror outfits are increasingly leveraging humanitarian projects, religious institutions, rescue missions, and conflict-related activities to raise funds on a global scale.'

This diversification in funding methods allows these organizations to evade regulatory scrutiny while maintaining their militant operations and ideological outreach.