FATF Takes Major Action: Several Countries Placed on Blacklist

In Brief

• FATF's major action

• Iran, North Korea, Pakistan among many countries in the blacklist

• FATF's stern warning to Pakistan

The global organization monitoring terrorism and money laundering, FATF, has once again issued a warning. They have stated that North Korea, Iran, and Myanmar are still considered high-risk countries. This is because these countries have failed to enact anti-terrorism funding and anti-money laundering laws. The global anti-terrorism and anti-money laundering organization FATF has taken significant action. Countries supporting terrorism have been placed on the grey list. North Korea, Iran, and Myanmar are among the countries on the grey list.

Therefore, these countries are becoming a threat globally. Hence, these countries cannot be removed from the blacklist. International financial institutions should be cautious of them. These countries have been placed on the blacklist so that international financial institutions provide them with limited loans and financial assistance. This is to create pressure on these countries to comply with FATF regulations.

It has been stated that Iran, Myanmar, and North Korea will remain on the blacklist. According to FATF, these countries have failed to implement anti-terrorism and anti-money laundering laws. Additionally, these countries pose a significant threat to the global economic system.

Reviewed the progress of these countries

FATF studied the progress and other aspects of several countries in 2025. From this, they reviewed the progress of many countries including Algeria, Angola, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Lao PDR, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa, South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Vietnam. These countries are still on the grey list.

These countries are out of the grey list

Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Nigeria, and South Africa have been removed from this blacklist. FATF has told these countries that being removed from the blacklist does not mean you are allowed to fund or support terrorism in any way. This warning is not only for Pakistan but also for countries supporting terrorism on the blacklist.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Question 1. Which countries have been removed from the FATF grey list?

Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Nigeria, and South Africa, as well as Pakistan in 2022, have been removed from the grey list.

Question 2. What warning has the FATF given to Pakistan?

The FATF has told Pakistan that being removed from the grey list does not mean they can support terrorism or terrorists in any way. They are being closely monitored by the FATF.