SBP rejects claims linking Raast to money laundering

The State Bank of Pakistan has rejected social media posts that claimed the Financial Action Task Force labelled Raast a channel for money laundering. According to Mettis Global, the central bank said those reports misread the FATF findings, which do not flag Raast or question the integrity of its payment infrastructure. The clarification was published on September 5, 2026.

The SBP explained that the FATF report actually looks at how underground and hawala operators could exploit regular banking and payment routes across several jurisdictions. In that context, Raast appears only as Pakistan's legitimate domestic payment system. The central bank added that Raast handles domestic payments and transfers exclusively and currently carries no cross-border transactions.

The SBP said it stays committed to safeguarding the soundness of Pakistan's payment network and will keep monitoring and reinforcing protections in line with global norms. The statement makes clear that Raast operates as a domestic system rather than a cross-border channel.