Pakistan on Tuesday categorically rejected allegations made in the Trump administration’s first foreign policy announced a day earlier, saying they "trivialise" its counterterrorism efforts and sacrifices to promote peace in the region.
In an official response to Trump's new national security strategy, which presses on Pakistan to intensify its action against militant groups it alleges are operating from Pakistani soil, the Foreign Office (FO) said the "unsubstantiated" and "unfounded" allegations are contrary to ground realities and reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to its counterterrorism efforts.
"Pakistan rejects such unfounded accusations that belie facts on ground and trivialise Pakistan’s efforts for fighting terrorism," said a statement issued by FO spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal.
Pakistan has been at the forefront in the fight against terrorism and its cooperation resulted in the core of Al Qaeda being "decimated" from the region, the FO statement said.
The FO claimed that the Afghan soil is being used by hostile elements against Pakistan despite substantial US presence, and "Pakistan continues to suffer at the hands of state-sponsored terrorism, funded and abetted by our neighbours through proxies".
It said Pakistan's proposals for effective border management to prevent cross-border movement of militants and return of Afghan refugees have not made any headway so far.
"On the other hand, a malicious campaign is under way to undo Pakistan’s achievements in the war against terrorism."
"Indiscriminate" counterterrorism and counter-extremism operations by Pakistani security forces have brought peace and stability to Pakistan, FO said, adding that the gains against terrorism have come "at a tremendous cost of blood and treasure".
It emphasised that Pakistan remains committed to continue the fight against sympathisers and abettors of terrorism to ensure that its soil is not used for carrying out violence anywhere.
"We expect the same commitment from our neighbours and other regional and global actors," it said.
The FO reiterated Pakistan's stance that a solution to the Afghan conflict lies in political settlement owned and led by the Afghans.
The Trump administration’s first foreign policy — announced on Monday — urges Pakistan to demonstrate that it’s a “responsible steward” of its nuclear assets and warns that the fear of a nuclear conflict with India remains a key concern in Washington.
The new policy also insists that Pakistan take action against militants on its soil and intensify its counterterrorism efforts if it wants to continue its partnership with the United States.
In a reference to the alleged presence of militant hideouts inside Fata, the Trump administration says: “We will insist that Pakistan take decisive action against militant and terrorist groups operating from its soil” as the United States “continues to face threats from transnational terrorists and militants operating from within Pakistan.”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1377588/p...legations-made-in-trumps-first-foreign-policy
In an official response to Trump's new national security strategy, which presses on Pakistan to intensify its action against militant groups it alleges are operating from Pakistani soil, the Foreign Office (FO) said the "unsubstantiated" and "unfounded" allegations are contrary to ground realities and reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to its counterterrorism efforts.
"Pakistan rejects such unfounded accusations that belie facts on ground and trivialise Pakistan’s efforts for fighting terrorism," said a statement issued by FO spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal.
Pakistan has been at the forefront in the fight against terrorism and its cooperation resulted in the core of Al Qaeda being "decimated" from the region, the FO statement said.
The FO claimed that the Afghan soil is being used by hostile elements against Pakistan despite substantial US presence, and "Pakistan continues to suffer at the hands of state-sponsored terrorism, funded and abetted by our neighbours through proxies".
It said Pakistan's proposals for effective border management to prevent cross-border movement of militants and return of Afghan refugees have not made any headway so far.
"On the other hand, a malicious campaign is under way to undo Pakistan’s achievements in the war against terrorism."
"Indiscriminate" counterterrorism and counter-extremism operations by Pakistani security forces have brought peace and stability to Pakistan, FO said, adding that the gains against terrorism have come "at a tremendous cost of blood and treasure".
It emphasised that Pakistan remains committed to continue the fight against sympathisers and abettors of terrorism to ensure that its soil is not used for carrying out violence anywhere.
"We expect the same commitment from our neighbours and other regional and global actors," it said.
The FO reiterated Pakistan's stance that a solution to the Afghan conflict lies in political settlement owned and led by the Afghans.
The Trump administration’s first foreign policy — announced on Monday — urges Pakistan to demonstrate that it’s a “responsible steward” of its nuclear assets and warns that the fear of a nuclear conflict with India remains a key concern in Washington.
The new policy also insists that Pakistan take action against militants on its soil and intensify its counterterrorism efforts if it wants to continue its partnership with the United States.
In a reference to the alleged presence of militant hideouts inside Fata, the Trump administration says: “We will insist that Pakistan take decisive action against militant and terrorist groups operating from its soil” as the United States “continues to face threats from transnational terrorists and militants operating from within Pakistan.”
https://www.dawn.com/news/1377588/p...legations-made-in-trumps-first-foreign-policy
