With a firm commitment to enhancing the capacity of the state’s legal framework, the Pakistan Anti-Corruption Academy (PACA) organized its third consecutive orientation workshop today for judges of the Islamabad District Judiciary. This session served as a high-level platform for legal experts and judicial officers, aimed at synchronizing mutual efforts to address the complex landscape of Anti-Money Laundering (AML).
Similar to its previous sessions, this briefing was held in the presence of top leadership, reflecting a robust, sustainable, and shared commitment to augmenting judicial capabilities in cases related to financial crimes.
Chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Lieutenant General (Retd) Nazir Ahmed, inaugurated the session, emphasizing that money laundering poses a grave threat to Pakistan's economic integrity. He highlighted the need for synergy between financial institutions, investigators, and the courts, stating that NAB is committed to combating sophisticated financial crimes through the use of modern technology.
Honorable Justice of the Islamabad High Court, Mr. Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas attended as the Chief Guest. In his concluding address, he commended PACA for organizing this vital training session once again, noting that continuous knowledge exchange and professional capacity building within the judiciary are indispensable for the accurate interpretation and effective enforcement of modern financial laws.
Deputy Chairman NAB, Mr. Sohail Nasir, provided a detailed overview of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010. He offered guidance on the judicial powers to seize and attach assets derived from criminal activities. Furthermore, he shed light on modern forms of money laundering, such as the misuse of shell companies and cryptocurrency.
Director General of the Special Investigation Division (SID) of NAB, Mr. Muhammad Tahir, focused on global standards, discussing the roles of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). He also clarified the procedures and practical significance of international asset recovery through Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA).
Master Trainer from the Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU), Ms. Noor-us-Sahar, highlighted the critical role of the 'goAML' portal and the importance of Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) in curbing financial crimes to provide solid evidence for successful prosecutions.
The event concluded with the distribution of certificates to the participating judges, acknowledging their commitment and professional dedication to promoting high standards of financial justice. A commemorative shield was presented to the Chief Guest, Mr. Justice Inaam Amin Minhas, marking the successful conclusion of the third session of this significant collaborative initiative.
Through this continuous focus on capacity building, PACA is equipping the judiciary with the tools necessary for evidence-based and robust judicial decisions, ensuring that Pakistan's financial system is effectively protected from illegal activities.
