Assad Farman Email & Phone Number

I am a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, currently enhancing my expertise through a Graduate Certification in Criminal Justice and Cyber Crime at BU's Metropolitan College. With over 12 years of experience in banking and Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), I serve as Deputy Director (Analysis) at Pakistan's Financial Intelligence Unit. In this role, leading the development of actionable financial intelligence to support investigations into money laundering and terrorism financing. I have authored multiple strategic analysis reports assessing AML/CFT/CPF risks across critical sectors, including branchless banking, drug trafficking, proscribed individuals' accounts, tax evasion, NPO misuse, illegal arms and ammunition trade, immigrant accounts, cash couriers, and tax amnesty schemes. Additionally, I have developed comprehensive guidelines and red flag indicators to equip reporting entities with practical tools to strengthen AML/CFT practices nationwide.My key achievements include leading Pakistan's efforts to combat Trade-Based Money Laundering (TBML), overseeing the digital transformation of Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) reporting in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank—an initiative recognized as exemplary for over 60 FIUs globally utilizing the UNODC's goAML application—and spearheading the integration of stakeholders' databases access project to enhance the intelligence capabilities of the Financial Monitoring Unit (Pakistan's FIU). I developed a business plan for mobile-based STR reporting solutions tailored for DNFBPs. Furthermore, played a critical role in transitioning Pakistan's Banking, SECP, and DNFBP sectors from manual, hard-copy reporting to an efficient, digital STR reporting system via goAML, significantly improving both the volume and quality of STR submissions. As a part of Pakistan's team addressing FATF Action Plans compliance, I contributed to advancing national efforts to meet and exceed international standards for combating financial crime.As a member of Pakistan's National Working Group on Virtual Asset Regulation, contributing to shape policies for emerging financial technologies, ensuring robust frameworks to address associated risks. Also regularly deliver AML/CFT/CPF capacity building sessions to reporting entities, law enforcement agencies and international stakeholders.