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India, US pressure works, Pakistan amends anti-terror law

In an effort to escape getting included in “grey list” for UN watchdog’s international money laundering and terror financing, Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain has quietly promulgated an ordinance amending Anti-Terrorism Act-1997 regarding proscription of terrorist individuals and organizations to include entities listed by UNSC. President signed the ordinance on Friday, which was made public on Monday.
US and India were reportedly spearheading an effort to get Pakistan included in the watchdog’s international money laundering and terror-financing “grey list”.
Hafiz Saeed, the co-founder of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and chief of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), the UN designated terror organizations operating from Pakistan. The US administration announced a bounty of $10 million on Saeed for his role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, killing 164 civilians, including six American citizens.
According to Dawn, this move will end ambiguity over the status of Hafiz Saeed-linked Jamaat-ud- Dawa (JuD) and Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) by firmly placing them on the proscribed groups list along with UN listed outfits of Al Akhbar Trust and Al Rashid Trust.
The promulgation of the ordinance amending Anti-Terrorist Act 1997,which ends and old discrepancy between the UN sanctions list and the national listing of terrorist groups and individuals, has come over a week before the crucial meeting of Financial Action Task Force (FATF), scheduled to be held from February 18 to 23 in Paris.
The reports from Islamabad suggest that on February 2, the National Security Committee (NSC) had directed the “ministries concerned to complete the few outstanding actions at the earliest”.
The FATF plenary held in Buenos Aires in November last year had asked Pakistan to furnish “a compliance report on actions taken against Lashkar-e-Taiba and JuD at the Paris meeting.
In January this year a UNSC 1267 sanction committee’s monitoring team visited Pakistan to review the compliance. The analysts fear that the FATF review this time could be tougher with some punitive action against Pakistan.
The international monitoring body FATF maintains “grey” and “black” list for identifying countries with “weak measures” to combat money laundering and terror financing. It does not have the powers to impose sanctions on the country not meeting the required standard. However, its listing may affect international transactions from the country concerned as those would then become subject to greater security.
Pakistan was earlier placed in the “grey list” in February 2012 and stayed on it for three years. If placed in this list, doing international or cross- border transactions becomes more expansive and ultimately causes difficulty in doing business locally.
Latest world news
Indiana Ophthalmics: Gujarat based company supplies poor quality eye drops in Sri Lanka
On Thursday, Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council (Phermexcil), India’s Centre agency looking after the promotion of pharmaceutical exports from India has sent a notice to the Gujarat company asking an explanation and an internal investigation report on the quality of the Methylprednisolone eye drops.

A Gujarat based top pharmaceutical manufacturing firm Indiana Ophthalmics has been accused of supplying poor quality eye drops to Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan government has complained to the Indian government stating that the eye drops supplied by the company has has caused eye infection to 30 people.
On Thursday, Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council (Phermexcil), India’s Centre agency looking after the promotion of pharmaceutical exports from India has sent a notice to the Gujarat company asking an explanation and an internal investigation report on the quality of the Methylprednisolone eye drops.
Phermexcil Director General Udaya Bhaskar in a letter to Indiana Ophthalmics has stated that the alleged supply of the contaminated eye-drops by the company has dented the reputation of the Indian pharma industry and will have to face trust issues by the international agencies on the export of pharmaceuticals from the country.
A probe has also been started by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation on Thursday, to investigate into the questions of quality concerns being raised on the eye drops being manufactured by Indiana Ophthalmics. The drops were recalled by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health in April this year saying the patients had reported complications after using them.
The Sri Lankan government claimed to have found bacteria Burkholderia cepacia in the eye drop. The Lankan government has asked the Indian government to compensate the affected patients and has demanded to investigate into the matter. Reports claimed, the firm has been told to stop production of eye drops immediately.
As per reports, the state drug officials had tested the drops and are waiting for results. Reports also said, these drugs require sterility testing hence, the test results will take another 15 days. Once the test results are out, they will be sent to the Sri Lankan government immediately.
A similar case was reported in February 2023, when questions were raised against Tamil Nadu based Global Pharma Healthcare, a firm whose product was allegedly linked with contamination causing blindness and one death in the US.
Latest world news
PM Modi underlines deep Aus ties at Sydney show for NRIs, Indian Australians
Addressing a gathering of Australians of Indian origin and NRIs based in the country in Sydney, PM Modi recalled his first visit to Down Under and listed the many things that connected the two countries

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said Australia and India have always shared common interests including keeping the Indo-Pacific a free, open and inclusive area.
Addressing a gathering of Australians of Indian origin and NRIs based in the country in Sydney, PM Modi recalled his first visit to Down Under and listed the many things that connected the two countries. He noted that India and Australia are keen cricketing nations and shared many more close links from MasterChef and yoga. PM Modi spoke about the sadness many cricket-loving Indians felt on the death of Australian spin wizard Shane Warne.
The PM noted that the Indo-Pacific region faces a number of challenges such as the security of sea lanes of communication, terrorism, climate change and piracy. He said these issues can be addressed through shared efforts.
He said that both he and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wanted to take their ties much closer. PM Modi said he was confident that he would Indo-Australian relations to the next level. There was large scope to identify new areas of complementing each other and increase cooperation between the two nations. This would also happen in closer defence and security ties to ensure open and free communication in Indo-Pacific.
He highlighted the fact that there was high degree of mutual trust between the two countries that had translated into increased co-operation on defence and security matters, which was already visible with the navies of the two countries participating in joint naval exercises.
He stated India’s position in the world as the force of global good. He said that India always had a helping hand whenever there was a disaster. He hailed India as the mother of democracy and as a bright spot for the world’s economy.
Prime Minister Modi and his Australian counterpart renamed the Sydney suburb ‘Little India’ during the mega community event at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney Olympic Park. He also announced that a new consulate will be opened in Brisbane soon.
PM Modi was visiting Australia after nine years after 2014. The organisers of the Tuesday bash, the Indian Australian Diaspora Foundation (IADF), had anticipated a sizeable turnout and were not disappointed by the multitudes welcoming the PM. Special buses had been organized by Modi supporters from Brisbane and Canberra.
Indians comprise 2.8% of the Australian population, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
He also added that the the Indo-Pacific region faces a number of challenges such as security of sea lanes of communication , terrorism, climate change and piracy. He said that these issues can be addressed through shared efforts. He also added that he could not be satisfied easily.
He said that Prime minister Albanese was same in this regard. He said he was confident that he would Indo-Australian relations to the next level. There was large scope to identify new areas of complementariness and increase cooperation between the two nations. PM Modi said he wants to take India’s relationship with the Australia to the next level which include closer defence and security ties to ensure open and free communication in Indo-Pacific. He highlighted the fact that there was high degree of mutual trust between the two countries that had translated into increased co-operation on defence and security matters.
As a result of which the navies of the two countries are participating in joint naval exercises.
Latest Politics News
PM Narendra Modi hosts lunch in Papua New Guinea
The lunch, attended by the leaders attending the third India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit in Papua New Guinea , aimed to foster stronger ties. Dragon fruit, which is native to Central America but is now widely cultivated in various parts of the world, including Papua New Guinea, was the focal point of the menu.

During his official visit to Papua New Guinea, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a special lunch where the star ingredient showcased the unique culinary heritage of the region. The lunch, held in Port Moresby, featured the exotic fruit, ‘pitaya’ or dragon fruit, as a prominent ingredient in the menu, highlighting the growing importance of international culinary exchanges and cultural diplomacy.
The lunch, was attended by the leaders attending the third India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit in Papua New Guinea . Dragon fruit, which is native to Central America but is now widely cultivated in various parts of the world, including Papua New Guinea, was the focal point of the menu.
The menu showcased a range of dishes that incorporated the vibrant and flavorful dragon fruit. From refreshing salads to innovative desserts, each dish was meticulously prepared to highlight the fruit’s unique texture and taste. The inclusion of dragon fruit in the menu not only added a visual appeal but also symbolized the diversity and richness of the culinary traditions in both India and Papua New Guinea.
Prime Minister Modi, known for his emphasis on cultural diplomacy, acknowledged the importance of food as a powerful medium for strengthening bonds between nations. He highlighted the significance of showcasing the diverse cuisines and culinary traditions as a means to deepen understanding and appreciation of different cultures.
The inclusion of dragon fruit in the lunch menu also reflected the growing popularity of this exotic fruit in various global cuisines. Dragon fruit has gained recognition for its nutritional value, vibrant colour, and distinct flavour, making it a favourite ingredient among chefs and food enthusiasts. The special lunch hosted by Prime Minister Modi in Papua New Guinea served as a platform to celebrate the fusion of Indian and Papua New Guinean culinary traditions. It provided an opportunity for the dignitaries and officials to engage in cultural exchange and foster a deeper understanding of each other’s heritage.
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