Pakistan Relaxes Cash Reporting Threshold in Anti-Money Laundering Shakeup
Pakistan has raised the threshold for cash transactions requiring mandatory reporting by banks to Rs. 3 million from Rs. 2 million, a 50 percent increase aimed at refining the country’s anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing framework.
The National Executive Committee on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML CFT), chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, approved the change for Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs) submitted to the Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU) of the State Bank of Pakistan.
New Threshold Changes: Mandatory Cash Reporting
Under the revised rules, banks and other reporting entities must file a CTR when a cash transaction equals or exceeds Rs. 3 million. Previously, the reporting threshold stood at Rs. 2 million.
The change applies to CTRs, which cover cash transactions above a specified amount. Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs), meanwhile, are filed when a transaction or activity raises concerns about potential money laundering or terrorism financing, regardless of the CTR threshold.
The NEC is responsible for setting reporting limits for banks, financial institutions and other agencies handling financial transactions. It also provides strategic coordination to strengthen Pakistan’s AML CFT framework and ensure consistent monitoring and implementation.
Maritime Piracy Added to Money Laundering Framework
The committee approved the inclusion of Section 28 of the Pakistan Maritime Zones Act, 2023, in Schedule I of the Anti Money Laundering Act (AMLA), bringing maritime piracy within the list of predicate offenses.
Section 28 defines piracy as illegal acts of violence, detention or depredation committed for private ends by the crew or passengers of a private ship or aircraft against another vessel, aircraft, or people and property onboard.
The committee also approved the inclusion of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) in Schedule IV of the AMLA, extending its role in meeting anti money laundering and counterterrorism financing requirements for virtual and digital assets.
FMU to Strengthen Financial Intelligence
Under the AMLA, the FMU receives and analyzes CTRs and STRs from reporting entities. It can also seek transaction records and related information from any agency or individual in Pakistan.
Relevant agencies and individuals are required to promptly provide the requested information, enabling the FMU to share its findings confidentially with investigating and prosecuting agencies or foreign financial intelligence units under reciprocal information sharing arrangements.
Finance Minister Calls for Stronger AML Monitoring
An official statement said the NEC reviewed compliance with its previous decisions and progress on Pakistan’s AML CFT framework, including the FMU’s performance, institutional capacity and initiatives involving artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Aurangzeb stressed the need for timely follow up and stronger coordination among relevant institutions to ensure effective implementation of the national framework. He also called for a clear roadmap with defined timelines to strengthen the FMU’s analytical and operational capacity.
The committee emphasized keeping Pakistan’s AML CFT framework responsive to evolving financial risks and emerging technologies while improving the analytical capabilities of relevant institutions.
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