Terror attacks emanate from Afghanistan, says PM Abbasi

islamabad — Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi rejected US accusations that the country provides sanctuary to militant groups and said attacks in the region were originating across the border in Afghanistan.

In an interview, Abbasi said that Pakistan would act against terrorists found within its borders, including the Taleban-affiliated Haqqani network.

His administration has been shaken by weeks of protests and has come under harsh criticism over a court decision to release accused terrorist Hafiz Saeed.

The recent sit-in showed the government’s struggle to restrain right-wing groups, including those suspected of having the backing of the military. Abbasi said there were “some extremist elements among the protesters”.

Islamabad and Washington are at loggerheads over Donald Trump’s demands in August that Pakistan take tougher action against terrorists operating within its borders — part of a US attempt to bring resolution to the 16-year war in Afghanistan.

“We have asked them to share any intelligence about the Haqqani network, we will take action,” Abbasi said. “The attacks however are being made from across the border, we have pinpointed even the sanctuaries of the attackers. Cross-border infiltration from Afghanistan is the order of the day.”

American officials have kept up the pressure. Both military and civilian leadership urged Pakistan to take action against militants.

“There is no room for them to take a tough stance here, because Pakistan is the country which is fighting the war on terror,” Abbasi said. “Somebody gives us intelligence and we will act upon it. It is our war, not theirs.”

When asked if Pakistan would move against Taleban leaders who have allegedly lived for years in Quetta, Abbasi said “we will act against them if they really exist”.

Abbasi reiterated that Trump’s troop increase and support to Afghanistan will end in failure and urged the Afghan government and the Taleban militants to agree to peace talks.

“We have assured them of whatever assistance we would be able to offer, but things are quite fragmented on that side,” he said. “Pakistan has tried twice, but the talks have been sabotaged.”

The US also escalated its criticism of Pakistan last week after a high court in Lahore ordered the release of Saeed from house arrest. India and the US accuse Saeed of masterminding the 2008 Mumbai attacks and claim he is the leader of terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, charges Saeed denies. The White House warned his release may damage bilateral relations.

“The court, a three-judge bench, has released him saying there are no charges against him, the country has a law you know,” Abbasi said. “Prosecute him internationally if there is substance to these charges — these are accusations only. No evidence has been provided by India.” — Bloomberg