Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Karachi

The Research Society of International Law (RSIL), in collaboration with the Sindh Judicial Academy (SJA), conducted two AML/CTF Trainings for Prosecutors and Investigators, which were held from 5^th to 8^th October in Karachi. Participants included members from Sindh Police and Sindh Prosecutors.

The training sessions consisted of a series of 6 lectures:

1. Global Legal Framework on AML/CTF and Overview of Pakistan’s Compliance
2. Nature of Terrorism Financing in Pakistan with specific reference to Sindh.
3. Domestic Legal Framework on AML/CTF
4. Criminalizing Money Laundering & Terrorism Financing in Pakistan: Elements of Offences
5. Powers of LEAs, Special Investigative Techniques, and Role of Prosecutors
6. Collection and Analysis of Evidence in AML/CTF Cases

As a supplement to traditional lectures, RSIL also conducted 6 tablet-based assessments through Gathersense, providing instant feedback to participants on assessment areas in need of improvement, and areas where they performed particularly well, creating a competitive environment in which participants flourished.

Mr. Muhammad Shahid Shafiq, Senior Faculty Member at the Sindh Judicial Academy delivered lectures on Nature of Terrorism Financing in Pakistan and the Domestic Legal Framework on AML-CTF.

The second session also included a visit by representatives from the Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU). The representatives gave a presentation detailing the mandate and organizational structure of the FMU, as well as the particulars of the go AML software system. Their visit concluded with a discussion on best practices regarding LEA usage of financial intelligence provided by the FMU.

Both sessions concluded with a case study under the supervision of Mr. Muhammad Shahid Shafiq in which participants were asked to identify relevant criminal provisions which applied to the facts of the case, and in doing so, demonstrating a working knowledge of the various powers of investigation in TF/ML cases, as well as the components required to successfully prosecute such a case. Police and Prosecutors were made to work together in groups in order to complete this activity, thus, bolstering camaraderie and cooperation between these two departments.

The closing session of both trainings were graced by Acting Director General, Sindh Judicial Academy Honorable Justice Mr. Muhammad Ali Mazhar for closing remarks. The Honorable Justice placed great emphasis for capacity building of Justice Sector Actors in the AML-CTF regime and pledged full support of the Sindh Judicial Academy for similar initiatives in the future.