Opposes finger pointing at Pak on terror: China

Countries should strengthen anti- terrorism cooperation on the basis of mutual respect instead of finger pointing at each other. This is not conducive to the global terrorism efforts. Lu Kang,

Beijing, Jan. 8: China on Monday said it is opposed to the US “finger pointing” at Pakistan and linking it with terrorism, insisting that the responsibility of cracking down on terror outfits cannot be placed on a particular country.

China’s support for its all- weather ally came as the US stepped up its efforts to pressure Pakistan to eliminate terror safe havens on its soil.

The US last week suspended approximately $ 2 billion in security assistance to Pakistan for its failure to take decisive action against terror groups like the Taliban and the Haqqani Network.

“China always opposed linking terrorism with any certain country and we don’t agree to place the responsibility of anti terrorism on a certain country,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a media briefing.

He was responding to a question on a White House official’s remarks that China could play helpful role in convincing Pakistan that it was in its national interest to crackdown on terror safe havens.

“We have stressed many times that Pakistan has made important sacrifices and contributions to the global anti terrorism cause,” Mr Lu said.

“Countries should strengthen anti- terrorism cooperation on the basis of mutual respect instead of finger pointing at each other. This is not conducive to the global terrorism efforts,” he said.

China has been vocal in extending support to Pakistan since US President Donald Trump increased rhetoric against Islamabad providing safe havens for terrorists.

Mr Trump in a New Year’s Day tweet accused the country of giving nothing to the US but “lies and deceit” and providing “safe haven” to terrorists in return for $ 33 billion aid over the last 15 years. Islamabad, Jan. 8: Pakistan is believed to have told US interlocutors that a major military offensive against the Taliban from both sides of the Afghan border, if failed, will have negative consequences for the entire region, according to a media report on Monday.

The key element in the new US strategy for Afghanistan is to launch a two- pronged military offensive that inflicts a military defeat on the Taliban and forces them to join the Afghan reconciliation process on Kabul’s conditions, diplomatic sources told Dawn News.

The paper in a detailed report from Washington reported that Pakistanis do not disagree with the basic thrust of the American argument but they have one major worry: What if it fails?

Mr Trump in August unveiled his South Asia policy and vowed to boost strategic partnership with India in Afghanistan. He had called for tougher measures against Pakistan if it fails to cooperate with the US in its fight against terrorism.

— China foreign ministry official