Pakistan rejects ‘unfounded’ allegations made in Trump’s first foreign policy

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 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-spon- sored 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 underway 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.