It is no surprise, at least in India, that Pakistan has failed to complete 25 of the 27 requirements demanded by international terror financing watchdog FATF to curb terror funding.

Pakistan has been assuring world powers since the 9/11 terror attack that it won’t allow its territory to be used for cross-border terrorism. But government after government continues to pay only lip-service to that commitment.

The latest dispensation, the Imran Khan government elected to power last year, is not any different either. Pakistan was placed by FATF in the ‘gray’ list in June 2018, and after at least two reviews since, has remained in the same category. Though this punitive measure would ensure that international financial institutions will keep downgrading the country’s economic prospects, adding to its already severe balance of payment crisis, it is clear FATF grey listing has been ineffective for Pakistan.

The evidence of Islamabad’s lack of interest in cracking down on its terror groups is provided on the ground in Kashmir where Pakistan sponsored violence and terrorism continue unabated. In fact, the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed upped the ante by carrying out a devastating suicide bombing against CRPF in Pulwama early this year, bringing India and Pakistan to the brink of war.

The world community must recognise that it’s time to go to the next level in raising the cost of funding terror. FATF must put Pakistan on its black list.