Pakistan on Tuesday categorically rejected the allegations levelled 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 the 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.
Censure of US support for India
The FO also took a swipe at the United States' efforts to
prop India as a regional power, saying countries should be given such
statuses on the basis of their "constructive contributions".
"Ironically,
a country with a record of defiance of UNSC [United Nations Security
Council] resolutions, introduction of nuclear weapons in South Asia and
use of terrorism as a state policy is being projected as a regional
leader," the FO statement said.
It said violence
committed by India in held Kashmir and ceasefire violations along the
Line of Control (LoC) targeting civilians are undermining strategic
stability in South Asia.
It stressed that Pakistan has
put in place a highly efficient, robust and centralised command and
control mechanism to secure its nuclear arsenal.
The
country remains "committed to protect our sovereignty, territorial
integrity and national interest determined by the people of Pakistan",
the FO said.
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.”
The
new policy relies heavily on India for achieving its targets. “We will
deepen our strategic partnership with India and support its leadership
role in Indian Ocean security and throughout the broader region,” it
says.
