Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday dropped a hint about convening joint session of the parliament next week to get the FATF-related legislation passed.  

Speaking to senators associated with the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its allied parties, the prime minister once again criticised the opposition for its refusal to support the legislation, which the government says will help Pakistan get out of the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). 

According to sources, the prime minister said that opposition’s attitude was, in fact, support to the Indian narrative against Pakistan. He said that opposition parties wanted the government to withdraw corruption cases against their leaders in return for their support to the FATF legislation. 

Imran Khan said the government would get the FATF legislation passed from the parliament in any case. He said that Pakistan’s economic situation was improving, but it would start deteriorating if the FATF blacklists Pakistan. He said the government would not be blackmailed by anyone and would go ahead with the FATF legislation in any case. He said the legislation would benefit Pakistan, not the PTI. 

On this occasion, the prime minister told PTI lawmakers to ensure their presence in the joint session of the parliament. He said the FATF put Pakistan on its grey list during the tenure of the last government of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).