Pakistan on Tuesday expressed disappointment over the US State Department’s Country Report on Terrorism 2018 and said factual situation and the country’s sacrifices have been completely overlooked.
“The report completely overlooks the factual situation on the ground and the tremendous contribution made and sacrifices rendered by Pakistan over the last two decades in the international struggle against terrorism,” a Foreign Office statement read in response to the report.
The Foreign Office said Pakistan’s efforts not only resulted in the elimination of Al-Qaeda from the region but also made the world a safer place, adding that Islamabad is committed to take concrete actions under its National Action Plan.
The FO statement mentioned that Pakistan took extensive legal and administrative measures for implementation of 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. It said Pakistan is continuing actions to fully implement the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) action plan.
As noted in the report, Pakistan faces the threat of terrorism from a number of groups including TTP, JuA and ISKP. The report, however, fails to mention that these groups continue to operate and conduct terrorist activities against Pakistan from across the border, it said.
The FO statement said Pakistan has facilitated US and Taliban direct talks in the context of the Afghan peace and reconciliation process in good faith. “Pakistan’s positive contribution in this regard has been widely acknowledged, including by the United States and its leadership. Any insinuation to the contrary is unwarranted and is inconsistent with the positive trajectory of the bilateral relations,” it added.
The FO statement said Pakistan has always stressed that counter-terrorism efforts can be effectively advanced through a constructive engagement. “We hope Pakistan’s commitment, contributions and sacrifices will be fully recognised and appreciated in the right perspective,” it said.
