ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: In response to media queries regarding allegations of terrorist safe havens in its Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA), Pakistan has outrightly rejected the claims and reiterated that it does not allow its territory to be used for attacks against any other country.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Foreign Office Spokesperson said that Pakistan’s contribution to the international community’s fight against terrorism and the sacrifices that “we rendered have been acknowledged by the world including the US at various levels of their leadership, EU and others.”
The spokesperson said that Pakistan has lost thousands of its citizens and economic losses of over US$ 100 billion due to the menace of terrorism. He said that the successes of Zarb-e-Azb are manifested in the improved security and economic situation in Pakistan, particularly near Pak-Afghan border.
The foreign office spokesperson said that the results of our military action were there for everyone to see through peace and stability at our borders with Afghanistan. He said that the US Parliamentarians and US Commanders have visited the FATA areas and publicly acknowledged the successes of Pakistan’s counter terrorism drive.
Moreover, he said that Afghanistan is infested with many terrorist organizations due to the instability there, which has created space for the terrorist elements such as Haqqani Network’s leadership, TTA, Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP), Daesh, Al-Qaeda, Jamaat-ul-Ahraar etc.
It is, therefore, not appropriate to blame others for the adversities due to the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, he said adding that the often repeated claims regarding safe havens are, therefore, more of a rhetoric than anything else.
“We wish to reemphasize that some foreign elements are exploiting the situation and using Afghan soil against Pakistan, in particular, and the region, at large. The activities of Indian RAW and NDS nexus remains a matter of deep concern to Pakistan”, he underlined.
The spokesperson said that Pakistan remains committed to peace efforts in Afghanistan as it is not only in the interest of the region but more importantly Pakistan.
“It is unfortunate that our sincere efforts towards stability in Afghanistan are being maligned”, he deplored.
The foreign office spokesperson reiterated that Pakistan wants peace and stability in Afghanistan.
“We are engaged in border management which is imperative for effective counter terrorism,” he said. “Pakistan will continue its policy of cooperation with international community to defeat the menace of terrorism. We will not indulge in blame game and expect others to do the same,” he concluded.
