Pakistan expresses disappointment over US report on terrorism

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed disappointment over the United States’ annual report on terrorism for 2019, calling it ‘self-contradictory’ and ‘selective’ in its characterization of Pakistan’s efforts for countering terrorism and terrorist financing.

In a statement issued by the Foreign Office today (Thursday), FO Spokesperson said, “While the report recognizes that Al Qaeda has been seriously degraded in the region, it neglects to mention Pakistan’s crucial role in decimating Al Qaeda, thereby diminishing the threat that the terrorist group once posed to the world.”

The statement said, “Similarly, the report acknowledges the sharp decrease in the incidence of terrorist attacks in Pakistan. However, it neglects to explain that this was only possible because Pakistan’s resolute counter-terrorism operations have targeted proscribed groups and outfits without discrimination.”

In the annual report, the US state department has accused Pakistan of continuing to be a ‘safe haven’ for certain regional terrorist groups.

The report further alleged that Pakistan allowed groups to operate from its territory and targeting Afghanistan and India. The banned groups include Afghan Taliban and the affiliated Haqqani Network (HQN), the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and the Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM).

In this response, the foreign office said, “Pakistan is fully aware of its responsibilities as a sovereign state. We reject any insinuation about any safe haven. Pakistan will not allow any group or entity to use its territory against any country.”

“On the contrary, it is Pakistan that faces the threat of terrorism from externally based and foreign-sponsored groups, like the TTP, ISIS-K, and others. The Report is again either silent or vague on the origins and locations of these terrorist groups,” the statement added.

The FO spokesperson also said, “Pakistan remains committed to fulfilling its obligations under the UNSC 1267 sanctions regime for the freezing of assets and denial of funds and economic resources to all designated entities and individuals.”

“In recent months, Pakistan has prosecuted and convicted the leadership of several proscribed groups, which has been acknowledged by the United States elsewhere but only merit a passing mention in the Report,” it added.

The foreign office said, “Pakistan also continues to implement the FATF Action Plan, and has undertaken wide-ranging and systemic reforms to that end.”

FO Spokesperson said, “The report fails to acknowledge the full extent of Pakistan’s support for the Afghan peace process, which has created a historic opportunity for lasting peace in the region. Pakistan’s positive contribution and facilitation of U.S.-Taliban direct talks culminating in the Peace Agreement of 29 February 2020 are widely acknowledged, including by the U.S. and its leadership,”

“Pakistan hopes that future U.S. reports will fully acknowledge the entire spectrum of Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts and present a fair and correct perspective of this global threat,” it concluded.