Foreign Office on Thursday emphatically stated that there is no organized presence of any terror outfit including TTP, Jamaat-ul Ahrar, Daesh and Al-Qaeda on Pakistani land.
During the weekly briefing, FO spokesman Nafees Zakaria said the allegations about presence of Haqqani network in tribal areas are mere rhetoric. This is only aimed at putting the blame of its own failures on Pakistan.
“There is no organized presence of any of those terror outfits. Let us examine the rhetoric in the backdrop of the statistics I’ll present here. On June 12, 2017, TTA leader, Mullah Abdul Bari was killed by Afghan 215th Maiwand Corps in Nad-e-Ali, Helmand. Reuters in its 30 August 2016 news reported killing of four (04) commanders of Haqqani network in US airstrike in Afghanistan’s Jani Khel district.The report also mentioned that Haqqani fighters have ‘traditional stronghold’ in Eastern Afghanistan. TOLO News reported killing of Haqqani commander, Karnail, on 25 July 2016 in eastern Khost province of Afghanistan in an encounter with the Afghan security forces. Daily Express Tribune carried datelines of New Indian Express and Xinhua news agency on 10th June, to report killing of Haqqani commander, Sirajuddin Khademi, in a US drone strike in Sarwaza district of Paktika province on 8 June. The report mentioned that Haqqani network, regarded as military wing of Taliban outfit, has been operating mostly in Afghanistan’s eastern provinces and Kabul,” said Nafees Zakaria.
“With these statistics, it is evident that Haqqani network is based in Afghanistan and operates from there,” added the FO spokesman.
About US Senator McCain’s recent visit. the FO spokesman said that US Senate Delegation’s meetings in Pakistan were held in a very cordial atmosphere and were very good in terms of outcome. Senator McCain also gave his comments on PTV to this effect.
The spokesperson said Pakistan welcomes Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei’s recent statement in which he urged the Muslims worldwide to support the oppressed people of Kashmir.
He said the entire Muslim Ummah is concerned over gross human rights violations in occupied Kashmir.
He said the OIC has repeatedly called for sending fact finding missions to the valley for investigation into the human rights violations there.
The spokesperson said Indian reportedly is using ammunition containing chemical agents to kill the innocent Kashmiri people and damage their properties.
He said the international organizations should investigate these reports which if confirmed will be sheer violation of international norms and conventions.
When asked about the sale of advanced weapons to India by different countries, the spokesperson said Pakistan is deeply concerned on the matter which undermines the objectives of preserving strategic balance in the region.
He said Pakistan will continue to raise its voice at the international fora which should objectively assess its actions and policies towards South Asian region.
He said Pakistan is not oblivious to safeguarding its national security.
