The Foreign Office spokesman said on Thursday that Pakistan has conveyed to the US that it has effectively fought back terrorists and the blame game is counter-productive and is hampering cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts. The spokesman, Nafees Zakaria, said at his weekly media briefing that Pakistan not only continues to fight this war but is also winning it due to its determination and deep commitment to the effort.
He said that Pakistan has conveyed its viewpoint to the US authorities about its resolve to eliminate terrorism and extremism. Operations Zerb-e-Azb and Raddul Fassad have successfully fought the terrorists, and "they are on the run," he added. He went on to say that "Pakistan has taken numerous steps for effective border management. The blame game...is certainly counter-productive, and hampers cooperation in the context of counter-terrorism efforts."
Asked about the United States' blocking of Pakistan's $50 million outstanding amount under the Coalition Support Fund, because of Islamabad's alleged failure to take effective action against the Haqqani network, the spokesman said that the blocked money is not aid but reimbursement of what has actually been spent by Pakistan on counter-terrorism operations.
Cooperation with the US forms part of Pakistan's overall counter-terrorism drive, he said. US legislators have been visiting Pakistan and have acknowledged the enormous success achieved by Pakistan in fighting back the terrorists, indiscriminately. "Pakistan's counter-terrorism drive is against all terrorist outfits. We are firmly resolved to eradicate terrorism from our soil at all costs," he added. He said that Pakistan has been fighting its war against terrorism and carried out operations Zarb-e-Azb, Raddul Fasaad and Khyber IV under a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy and the National Action Plan (NAP).
He said that Pakistan and its people have suffered immensely due to terrorism, in terms of both human and financial losses. "Besides these costs, we incur huge expenditures on counter-terrorism operations," he said. Various countries, including the US, have acknowledged Pakistan's efforts and sacrifices in fighting the menace of terrorism, he added. Commenting on remarks made by the Afghan envoy to the US on the Pakistani Army at a conference in California, he said they are part of a malicious campaign against Pakistan.
"Facts on the ground belie such claims," he said. In reality, since 9/11 the Pakistani military has proved to be the most effective bulwark against terrorism in the region, he said. Members from all ranks in the Pakistani military have made the ultimate sacrifice, he said. He said that Pakistan has lost more security forces' personnel in fighting violent extremism than its international partners across the border. "Pakistan not only continues to fight this war but is also winning," he said. International visitors, including those from the media, and members of the US Congress have recognized these achievements", he said.
Only unshakable determination and a deep commitment to fighting terrorism can lead to such successes, he added. In reality, he said, it is across the border in Afghanistan where vast swathes of territory have been abandoned to the militants. "These safe havens pose a security risk to Pakistan and the entire region," he said. Devious claims against Pakistan military's commitment to fight terrorism is to trivialize its tremendous human sacrifices, he added.
He stated that it was also disrespectful to the families of Pakistani martyrs and to the people of Pakistan and such statements are beyond the dignity of responsible offices. Continuing this negative rhetoric is itself a factor in regional instability as it weakens the international partnership against terrorism, he added.
On the situation in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, he said that Pakistan has consistently condemned atrocities by the Indian occupation forces there. He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had offered treatment of pellet victims in any European country or anywhere in the world where the best facilities are available, which India refused. "Our offer remains valid for all times in this regard. Pakistan is committed to extending political, moral and diplomatic support to our Kashmiri brethren," he added.
On the latest wave of violent extremism in India, he said that it was a very disturbing and gruesome episode in which an unprotected Muslim has been dragged in the street in India and brutally murdered with swords by Hindu extremists. Daily lynching of Muslims, Christians and Dalits in public by cow vigilantes and Hindutva proponents are manifestations of rising extremism, religious intolerance and bigotry in India, which are a cause of international concern, he added.
He said that international human rights organizations, including Amnesty and Human Rights Watch, have amply reported on these incidents. Regrettably, the situation for the religious minorities and other vulnerable segments of their society is worsening with each passing day, he added. Referring to restrictions on Pakistani nationals in getting Indian visas, he said that it is highly regrettable that India has placed such restrictions on visas for patients suffering from serious, even terminal, illnesses.
Asking for a letter from the Foreign Affairs Adviser is against diplomatic norms, he said, adding such a requirement has not been prescribed for any other country. "We are making suitable alternative arrangements, both within Pakistan as well as in friendly countries." He said that Pakistan and Afghanistan are finalizing the dates for a meeting of the seventh Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Co-ordination Authority (APTTCA), which is expected to be held in Kabul in the near future.
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