RSIL has been involved in legal research, capacity building and policy analysis in counter-terrorism since 2001, when international frameworks relating to counter-terrorism, terrorism financing and money laundering and international cooperation were overhauled in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. When Pakistan was ‘grey-listed’ by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in 2018 owing to structural deficiencies in its AML/CFT regime, RSIL deployed its best assets to conducting in-depth research in this area. Over the past five years, RSIL has developed dozens of knowledge products on AML/CFT, including research reports, policy briefs, guides, handbooks and training modules for a broad range of stakeholders, including criminal justice actors, regulators and reporting entities. We have also conducted approximately 40 trainings, consultations, working group sessions, seminars and conferences for hundreds of stakeholders and policymakers across the country with the aim of building capacity and generating policy dialogue in this important area
The second edition of RSIL’s Guide for the Effective Investigation & Prosecution of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing in Pakistan reflects the dynamic changes that have taken in place in Pakistan’s AML/CFT landscape since 2020, and incorporates the latest laws, guidelines, statutory regulatory orders in effect in Pakistan’s AML/CFT regime. A notable enhancement is the detailed discussion on Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) in Chapter 6, reflecting their growing relevance in AML/CTF efforts. Chapter 3 has been revised to include the updated National Risk Assessment, offering a current view of the risks and vulnerabilities Pakistan faces in this domain. Chapter 2 provides an updated analysis of FATF requirements and Pakistan’s progress in meeting these international standards. A significant update includes expanded ‘Elements of Offence’ tables in Chapter 5 to include new offences, ensuring readers have a comprehensive understanding of the evolving legal landscape.
Additionally, the chapter on international cooperation has been thoroughly revamped to include the processes and procedures set out in the Mutual Legal Assistance (Criminal Matters) Act, 2020, offering deeper insights and practical guidance for practitioners.
The Research Society of International Law (RSIL) is pleased to present its latest work, an in-depth commentary on Pakistan’s Anti-Money Laundering Act 2010 (AMLA). This commentary is the first of its kind in Pakistan, offering a comprehensive analysis of the Act, its key objectives, contemporary practice, and practical implications. It delves into the intricacies of the Act, providing a detailed examination of offences and penalties, investigation procedures, attachment and management of properties, judicial provisions, institutional frameworks and oversight mechanisms, and obligations of reporting entities.
The commentary also provides a historical overview of Pakistan’s AML regime, tracing its evolution from piecemeal legislative responses to the current comprehensive legal framework which was revised under the FATF Action Plan for Pakistan between 2018-2022.
The Research Society of International Law (RSIL) collaborated with various institutions across the country to conduct 11 Trainings on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF). These Trainings were followed Working Group Meetings to develop Guidelines and Checklists for understanding AML/CFT Offences & Evidence Collection in Pakistan.
In the second phase of the project, RSIL collaborated with government entities to conduct basic and specialized courses on AML/CFT. Basic courses were conducted for the Prosecutors belonging to Punjab and KP in addition to judicial officers from Balochistan and for investigators across Pakistan. Additionally, two specialized courses were conducted for Criminal Justice Sector actors from Sindh in collaboration with the Sindh Judicial Academy.
To enhance the teaching capacity within the departments, RSIL organized Training of Trainers sessions in partnership with the prosecution departments of KP and Punjab. Similar sessions were also conducted in collaboration with the Balochistan Judicial Academy for Judicial Officers. The objective was to empower these trainers to independently provide training to officers within their respective departments in the future.
A range of new training products were also designed in this phase with the most notable being the Online training portal on AML/CFT developed for National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA).
