– rejects assertions made by Kabul
By Our Diplomatic Correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed disappointment with the US State Department’s Report on terrorism casting aspersions on the country’s counter-terrorism efforts.
In a statement, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr. Muhammad Faisal said 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.
He said 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 continued that Pakistan was committed to taking concrete actions under its National Action Plan. He pointed out that Pakistan has taken extensive legal and administrative measures for the implementation of its obligations under the UNSC 1267 sanctions regime for the freezing of assets and denial of funds and economic resources to all designated entities and individuals. He said Pakistan is continuing actions to fully implement the FATF Action Plan.
As noted in the Report, Pakistan faces the threat of terrorism from a number of groups including TTP, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and Islamic State in Khorasan Province. The spokesperson, however, said the report, however, fails to mention that these groups continue to operate and conduct terrorist activities against Pakistan from across the border.
Dr Muhammad Faisal said Pakistan has facilitated U.S. and Taliban direct talks in the context of the Afghan peace and reconciliation process in good faith. Pakistan’s positive contribution in this regard has been widely acknowledged, including by the United States and its leadership.
He said any insinuation to the contrary is unwarranted and is inconsistent with the positive trajectory of the bilateral relations.
The spokesperson said Pakistan has always stressed that counter-terrorism efforts can be effectively advanced through constructive engagement.
He said we hope Pakistan’s commitment, contributions and sacrifices would be fully recognized and appreciated in the right perspective.
Meanwhile, ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday rejected the statement issued by the Afghanistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs on mistreatment with the Afghan ambassador, ARY News reported on Tuesday.
“We have seen the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan and reject the assertion of the “mistreatment” of the Afghan Ambassador,” said a press release issued by the foreign office.
“The Government of Pakistan extends due respect and courtesies and expects that the foreign envoys conform to the established diplomatic norms and principles,” adds press release.
Commenting over the matter of harassment with Pakistan diplomats in Afghanistan the FO said, “The personnel of Pakistan’s diplomatic Missions in Afghanistan being systematically harassed for the past few days, our concerns have already been conveyed to the Afghan Government.”
Pakistan urged Afghan authorities to take immediate steps to ensure safety and security of the personnel of Pakistan’s diplomatic missions in Afghanistan.
Earlier on Sunday, the Foreign Office summoned Afghan Charge d’Affairs to convey serious concerns over the safety and security of the diplomatic personnel of the Embassy of Pakistan in Kabul.
In a statement, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr. Muhammad Faisal said the Afghan Charge d’Affairs was informed that the officers and staff of the Embassy of Pakistan were being harassed over the past two days.
It must be noted that Pakistani diplomats have faced harassment by officials in Afghanistan as many complaints emerged in the past two days.
Sources said that the Afghan officials started harassing Pakistani officials from the Saturday night as their vehicles had been stopped on different routes and inappropriate remarks launched against them.
According to the ARY News correspondent, the officials stopped the vehicles of Pakistani diplomats who were moving towards the embassy from their residence. The NDS officials started hurling abuses at the Pakistani officials, sources said.
The complaints have not emerged for the first time in Afghanistan as Pakistani diplomats faced difficulties in movements in past and harassed by Kabul officials.
