Punjab Highlights Reforms in Anti-Money Laundering and NGO Oversight

Punjab Reviews Progress on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terror Financing Measures

Lahore:Ali Imran Chattha 

An important meeting on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terror Financing (CFT) was held at the Punjab Home Department under the chairmanship of AML/CFT Chairman and former IGP Mushtaq Sukhera. Director General Ehsan Sadiq and Punjab Home Secretary Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi, along with senior officials from multiple provincial departments, attended the session.

The Home Secretary briefed the participants on Punjab’s initiatives to curb money laundering and terror financing, highlighting the province’s effective contribution to the FATF action plan. He informed that Punjab’s steps had been instrumental in Pakistan’s removal from the FATF grey list, with strict enforcement of both international standards and domestic laws.

The meeting reviewed Punjab’s performance under the FATF framework and was told that the province’s legal and institutional reforms have strengthened governance. It was further briefed that the Punjab Cabinet has approved the Auqaf, Trust and Cooperative Societies Management Act 2025, which is expected to serve as a model for other provinces.

The participants were also updated on anti-human trafficking initiatives. Chairman Mushtaq Sukhera acknowledged Punjab’s decisive role in Pakistan’s removal from the U.S. State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Tier 2 Watchlist, appreciating the efforts of the Labour Department, Police, Social Welfare, and Child Protection Bureau.

The meeting expressed satisfaction over the performance of the Punjab Charities Commission, which has so far registered over 8,000 NGOs. CEO Colonel Shehzad Aamir highlighted improvements in NGO monitoring, digitization, and outreach systems, noting that Punjab’s Commission remains the most effective among the provinces.

Chairman Sukhera assured support in resolving NGOs’ taxation and banking issues, while stressing the need to continue with reforms for sustained success.

Secretaries and senior officials from the Home Department, Auqaf, Cooperatives, Board of Revenue, School Education, Health & Population, Police, Child Protection Bureau, Social Welfare, and Prosecution Departments gave detailed briefings during the session.