ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has felicitated Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari after Pakistan edged closer to being removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list.

In a telephonic conversation, the prime minister congratulated the foreign minister after Pakistan was found to completed all items on the action plan by the global financial watchdog.

FM Bilawal told the prime minister that the entire team at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs deserves credit for the achievement. He said that all efforts will be made to bring the nation out of difficult situations.

Earlier Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has felicitated the nation and welcomed the announcement of FATF that Pakistan has met all its conditions for exclusion from the grey list.

In a statement, the prime minister said return of Pakistan to the white list is a big success of the country. He said the efforts of the FATF-related cell which included the military and civil leadership are praiseworthy and credit goes to them for their endeavours in this achievement.

PM Shehbaz Sharif said the statement of FATF is recognition of the restoration of the international reputation of Pakistan. He said such good news will be destiny of Pakistan in future. He said the return of Pakistan to the white list will help improve economic and financial situation.

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa said the completion of the FATF’s action plans by Pakistan is a great achievement. According to ISPR, the Army Chief said the achievement is a monumental effort for paving way for white listing.

READ MORE: Pakistan one step away from exiting grey list: Hina Rabbani

The FATF announced that Pakistan has substantially completed two action plans and would be removed from the grey list after it passes the on-site visit.

According to Foreign Office, the global watchdog reviewed Pakistan’s progress on FATF Action Plans in its plenary meetings held in Berlin.

The FATF acknowledged the completion of both Action Plans (2018 and 2021) and authorized an onsite visit to Pakistan as a final step to exiting from the grey list.

The FATF members while participating in the discussion on Pakistan’s progress, congratulated Pakistan for completing both Action Plans covering 34 items, and especially on the early completion of the 2021 Action Plan in a record timeframe.

Pakistan continued its relentless efforts towards successful completion of these Action Plans despite many challenges including the COVID 19 pandemic.

The Pakistan delegation, which attended FATF Plenary meetings in Berlin, was led by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar.