The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) has rebutted the claims of Christine Fair against their Associate vice-president Dr Moeed Yusuf and said that she has a long history of making misleading claims.
Jill Welch, the vice-president of external relations of USIP wrote an email to The Print in response to their article by Ms Fair on Dr Yusuf, alleging him to be a 'Pakistani agent'. The vice-president said that, "We stand by Yusuf’s dedicated work at the institute which he has carried out with the highest personal and professional integrity as a well-regarded expert on South Asia."
Welch further said that Fair had previously written another article against Yusuf, for which the publication's editor-in-chief had issued an apology. "It is no surprise that the author is continuing her nearly decade-long personal and entirely unfounded attacks against Yusuf."
Here is a rebuttal from @USIP CF needs to find another country cos this is not the same Pakistan nor the the same Pakistanis who would tolerate her BS. https://t.co/St9d3S3HwP pic.twitter.com/ULhlWizg6e
— Rabia Akhtar (@Rabs_AA) October 4, 2019
Clearing facts, the statement noted that USIP is a national nonpartisan independent institute and take no position for or against Pakistan or any other country. "The author’s slanderous attacks have been by no means limited to the USIP but also include attacks other distinguished institutions and members of foreign policy, national security and academic communities," Welch said.
On September 26, Yousuf was appointed as chairperson of the Strategic Policy Planning Cell (SPPC), which functions under the National Security Division. Following the appointment, Fair had written on article on the Indian news website The Print.
Fair claimed that Yusuf has always had a pro-Pakistan policy and accused him of promoting Pakistan’s interests at US taxpayers’ expense.