FO rejects 'unwarranted' references to Pakistan in US-India joint statement on counter terrorism

Published September 15, 2020
"Our serious concerns and rejection of the unacceptable reference to Pakistan in the joint statement have been conveyed to the US side," a statement by FO Spokesman Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said. — DawnNewsTV/File
"Our serious concerns and rejection of the unacceptable reference to Pakistan in the joint statement have been conveyed to the US side," a statement by FO Spokesman Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said. — DawnNewsTV/File

The Foreign Office on Tuesday rejected the "unwarranted references" to Pakistan in the statement issued by the US-India Counter Terrorism Joint Working Group and Designations Dialogue, which underlined the "urgent need" for Islamabad to take steps to ensure that its territory is not used for terrorist attacks.

"Our serious concerns and rejection of the unacceptable reference to Pakistan in the joint statement have been conveyed to the US side," a statement by FO Spokesman Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said.

"It is important that partner countries take an objective view of the issues of peace and security in South Asia and refrain from endorsing positions that are one-sided and divorced from ground realities."

In a joint statement released on September 10, the two countries had denounced the use of terrorist proxies and strongly condemned cross border terrorism in all its forms.

"The two sides underlined the urgent need for Pakistan to take immediate, sustained, and irreversible action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for terrorist attacks, and to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of such attacks, including 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot," the statement read.

Responding to the press release, the FO spokesman said that the international community was well aware that Pakistan was among the countries most affected by cross border terrorism "sponsored and supported" by India.

"The international community also recognises Pakistan’s efforts, sacrifices and successes in the fight against terrorism.

"Pakistan has repeatedly underlined that peace and stability in South Asia is threatened by the irresponsible policies and actions of the RSS-BJP regime in India — including towards its minorities, its state terrorism in occupied Kashmir, and its belligerence against Pakistan and other countries in the region.

"The international community must urge India to reverse course and desist from playing a role detrimental to regional peace and stability," the statement concluded.

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
Updated 19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...