ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has strongly rejected the unwarranted references to Pakistan in a joint statement of the US-India Counter-terrorism Joint Working Group and Designations Dialogue, calling it “one-sided and divorced from ground realities”.

“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,” said the Foreign Office (FO) in a statement issued here on Tuesday.

It mentioned that Pakistan had conveyed to the United States its “serious concerns and rejection of the unacceptable reference to Pakistan in the aforementioned joint statement”.

The FO highlighted that international community was well aware that Pakistan was the most affected country 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,” it added.

FO says international community well aware of country’s sacrifices, successes in fight against terrorism

Pakistan had repeatedly underlined that peace and stability in South Asia was threatened by the irresponsible policies and actions of the RSS-BJP regime in India, including those towards its minorities, its state-terrorism in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and its belligerence against Pakistan and other countries in the region.

It urged the international community to reverse course and desist from playing a role detrimental to regional peace and stability.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2020