ISLAMABAD, Dec 15: Reiterating the government’s commitment to review ties with the US, the Foreign Office criticised on Thursday a US bill that proposed freezing of $700 million in aid and said the country’s sovereignty was ‘non-negotiable’.

“We believe that the move in Congress is not based on facts and takes a narrow view of the overall situation. Hence, wrong conclusions are unavoidable,” FO spokesman Abdul Basit said at the weekly media briefing.

The spokesman said coalition forces and the Afghan security apparatus should get their act together and stop blaming Pakistan for their failings.

“I think the real question is as to what is being done on the Afghan side of the border. Pakistan cannot be held responsible for weaknesses and loopholes on the other side of the border. For the policy of hammer and anvil to be effective, it is important that necessary measures are to be taken on the Afghan side.”

Mr Basit said Pakistan would remain firm on the review “irrespective of what happens on this particular front (whether or not US apologises)”.He said the Pakistani government, alongside discussions on reviewing terms of engagement with the US and Nato, was talking to all its friends around the world on this very serious development.

Editorial

Ominous demands
Updated 18 May, 2024

Ominous demands

The federal government needs to boost its revenues to reduce future borrowing and pay back its existing debt.
Property leaks
18 May, 2024

Property leaks

THE leaked Dubai property data reported on by media organisations around the world earlier this week seems to have...
Heat warnings
18 May, 2024

Heat warnings

STARTING next week, the country must brace for brutal heatwaves. The NDMA warns of severe conditions with...
Dangerous law
Updated 17 May, 2024

Dangerous law

It must remember that the same law can be weaponised against it one day, just as Peca was when the PTI took power.
Uncalled for pressure
17 May, 2024

Uncalled for pressure

THE recent press conferences by Senators Faisal Vawda and Talal Chaudhry, where they demanded evidence from judges...
KP tussle
17 May, 2024

KP tussle

THE growing war of words between KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi is affecting...