Amended AML without Procurement Commission would be cosmetic – AFC

Georgetown : The Alliance For Change (AFC) reiterates its support to the Anti Money Laundering Amendment Bill but underlines that its support is hinged to the setting up of the Constitutionally mandated Public Procurement Commission.

The AFC maintains that passage of the AML CFT Bill on Monday without the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission is a half-baked attempt to stem the flow of illicit gains.

Apart from the proceeds from illicit drugs; bribery, kickbacks and payoffs form the main artery feeding corrupt officials and draining away the lifeblood of poor, ordinary taxpayers.

AFC says since the passage of the original AML legislation there has been little or no implementation and there is no reason to believe that there will be any implementation of a revamped Bill. Amended AML legislation will be used by the PPP/C government as cosmetic to hide the truth that corrupt officials would continue to benefit from nefarious deals.

The AFC's position is that the flow of illicit funds must be stemmed at its source; in the award of contracts, and this will only happen when the Public Procurement Commission is established. If the legislature wants to demonstrate its full commitment to stamping out money laundering it will act to ensure a fully functioning PPC.

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