Pak slams US for doubting its anti-terror efforts, takes dig at India

Islamabad: Pakistan has regretted the United States’ statement that questioned Pakistan’s sincerity in the war on terror.

In response to a media question on the US Deputy spokesperson’s critical remarks that Pakistan was selective in targeting terrorists and does not go after those threatening its neighbours, Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said that Pakistan has taken concrete measures to counter terrorism in a phased manner keeping in view the country’s national security concerns.

“We have taken serious note of the remarks made by the US deputy spokesperson, which are self-contradictory and oblivious of the fact that Pakistan has taken concrete measures to counter terrorism in a phase-wise (sic) manner keeping in view Pakistan’s national security concerns,” he said.

He added: “Recently, Senator John McCain visited Pakistan along with some other Senators and Congressmen. They were unanimous in acknowledging the remarkable achievements made by Pakistan in its counter-terrorism drive. They visited Miramshah and observed the situation on ground for themselves. Senator McCain, on his return also wrote an article on his experience in Pakistan.”

Terrorism is more of a concern to Pakistan than its ‘neighbour’, the spokesman said.

He claimed that the arrest of the India’s active service officer, who ‘publicly confessed’ his state’s involvement in perpetrating and financing terrorist and subversive activities in Pakistan, surprisingly did not prompt any statement by the US.

“I also wish to remind the US deputy spokesperson of the statement by Chuck Hagel in February 2013 that Pakistan’s ‘neighbour’ uses the soil of another ‘neighbour’ of Pakistan to finance instability in Pakistan,” Nafees Zakaria said.

The factors behind spread of terrorism in Pakistan and the colossal losses inflicted on the country in terms of loss of over 60,000 innocent lives, and billions of dollars to the economy are obvious now, he said.

He said: “Given these ground realities together with the inhuman treatment meted out by the neighbour’s forces to the defenceless and innocent people struggling for their right to self-determination, the remarks of the deputy spokesperson are misplaced and are not sensitive to Pakistan’s security concerns.”