ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Foreign Office has said that Pakistan is disappointed with assertions made in the US Department of State’s Country Report on Terrorism 2018, concerning its counter-terrorism efforts.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said that the report completely overlooks the factual situation on the ground and the tremendous contribution made and sacrifices rendered by Pakistan over the last two decades in the international struggle against terrorism. These efforts have not only resulted in the elimination of Al-Qaeda from this region but have also made the world a safer place.
The Spokesperson said that Pakistan is committed to take concrete actions under its National Action Plan (NAP). He said that Pakistan has taken extensive legal and administrative measures for implementation of its obligations under the UN Security Council 1267 sanctions regime for the freezing of assets and denial of funds and economic resources to all designated entities and individuals. Pakistanis continuing actions to fully implement the FATF Action Plan.
Dr Faisal said that as noted in the Country Report on Terrorism 2018, Pakistan faces the threat of terrorism from a number of groups including Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA) and Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP).
The Report, however, fails to mention that these groups continue to operate and conduct terrorist activities against Pakistan from across the border.
The Foreign Office Spokesperson said that Pakistan has facilitated US and Taliban direct talks in the context of the Afghan peace and reconciliation process in good faith. He said that Pakistan’s positive contribution in this regard has been widely acknowledged including by the United States and its leadership. He said that any insinuation to the contrary is unwarranted and is inconsistent with the positive trajectory of the bilateral relations.
“We have always stressed that counter-terrorism efforts can be effectively advanced through constructive engagement. We hope Pakistan’s commitment, contributions and sacrifices would be fully recognized and appreciated in the right perspective,” Dr Faisal concluded.
