ZULFIQAR AHMAD

ISLAMABAD: Rejecting alleged use of Pakistani soil in recent spate of terror attacks in Afghanistan, the Foreign Office categorically said on Friday that vast swathes of territory in Afghanistan are being used by a number of terrorist groups like Deash, TTP, JuA as sanctuaries.

In his weekly press briefing, Foreign Office Spokesman Dr Muhammad Faisal said that blaming Pakistan for security lapses inside Afghanistan is unfair, especially when such large spaces and support to these elements are available within the country.

"We reject any allegations of support to the Haqqani Network or the Taliban and of allowing them to use our soil. Pakistan has been taking action against all terrorist groups in its territory. It is our commitment to eradicate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," he maintained.

He said Pakistan has killed more than 17,600 militants in counterterrorism operations started after the 9/11 terror attacks and destroyed their training camps in the restive tribal region bordering Afghanistan.

"Pakistan has also cleared more than 46,000 km of land from terrorists. Counterterrorism operations within Pakistan have cleared 46,378 km of land and eliminated 17,614 terrorists, ensuring that our soil is not used against any other territory; we expect the same from our neighbors," he said.

Faisal said the ongoing counterterrorism operation Raddul-Fassad, which was launched by Pakistan military last year, eliminated terrorists especially those belonging to Tehreek-e-Taiban Afghanistan and Haqqani Network.

"Actions against Haqqani Network include rooting out of terrorist camps in Waziristan, blocking medical assistance to terrorists and breaking their financing and training camps," he said.

Faisal said Pakistan continued to prevent suspected Tehreek-e-Taiban Afghanistan and Haqqani Network elements from using its soil for any terrorist activity in Afghanistan, adding that 27 individuals suspected of belonging to Tehreek-e-Taiban Afghanistan and Haqqani Network were handed over to Afghanistan in November 2017.

Faisal also said that "tensions and escalation by India at the Eastern border adversely affected our counterterrorism efforts." He said effective border management remains one of Pakistan's prime objectives in preventing cross-border terrorism.

"Pakistan has 975 border posts to man Pak-Afghan border; Afghanistan has 218," he said. He said Pakistan is keen to assist the Afghan government while highlighting that on the southern side of the border, "a stretch of 648 km has no check post on the Afghan side." "Large swathes of ungoverned spaces in Afghanistan are leaving a vacuum for safe havens and terrorist sanctuaries to flourish and launch attacks on Pakistan. Incidence of cross-border terrorist attacks from Afghanistan has increased since 2016, and peaked to 417 in 2017," he said.

The spokesman also said "Pakistan continues to share intelligence with more than 70 countries" and has lost 75,000 civilians and 6,000 soldiers to the scourge of terrorism. He said Pakistan has one of the highest officer-to-soldier casualty rates globally. Faisal also said his country has suffered economic losses worth $123 billions in the war against terrorism. He also mentioned the recent fatwa jointly issued by 1,829 highly qualified religious scholars condemned terrorism and declared it contrary to the teachings of Islam. "The fatwa (decree) outlaws the use of force by individuals or groups to take up arms against state for imposition of Sharia. The fatwa also prohibits Pakistani citizens from violating territorial boundaries in the name of helping other armed groups and struggles outside Pakistan, offering intellectual and practical training and recruitment of terrorists," he said.

He also mentioned Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif's visit to Afghan Embassy in Islamabad to convey condolences over the recent terrorist attacks in Kabul resulting in the loss of precious human lives and infrastructure.

To a question about special message of the Afghan President through his NDS chief during his recent visit to Pakistan, he said that the Afghan representatives have shared information with Pakistan during the recent visit. "We will look into it and revert soon. Let me reiterate that there are no sanctuaries or any organized presence of terrorist safe havens in Pakistan," he added.

He further stated that during the recent visit of the incoming Afghan delegation, both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral engagement and counterterrorism cooperation. "You are aware that the first meeting of bilateral working groups, on Pakistan's proposal, is being held in Kabul on February 3, 2018. The foreign secretary will lead the Pakistan delegation," he added.

About State of the Union Address by US President Trump in which he only referred to an open-ended US military action in Afghanistan and did not mention "reconciliation" for achieving Afghan stability, Dr Faisal said, "We believe that the true enemy of Afghan people is the endless cycle of violence."

"This conclusion is informed by our four decades' experience of facing blowback of instability in Afghanistan. That is why we have consistently highlighted that there is no military path to peace in Afghanistan," he maintained.

Regarding the assistance about which President Trump called on the Congress to pass a law that US assistance that will only go to the friends of America, the FO spokesman said, "Pakistan wishes to have a strong relationship with US based on mutual respect and underpinned by bonds of friendship between our two peoples."

"Pakistan's foreign policy reflects the aspirations of the people of Pakistan and serves Pakistan's national interests. We look forward to developing mutually beneficial economic partnerships with all countries, including US and do not consider assistance a yardstick for measuring our longstanding relationship," he added.

To a question, he said Pakistan will take action against any terrorist found on its soil, if actionable intelligence is provided. Regarding, the US treasury department listing, he added, the US Department of Treasury has recently designated six alleged Taliban/ HN individuals under an Executive Order 13224 which bars the US nationals from providing any financial or material support to these individuals. "This is an administrative step taken by the US government and is applicable upon the US subjects. It is not a UN sanctions measure. Since those so designated are not Pakistani nationals, we have no comments to offer," he added.

Regarding Radio Mashaal, he said the decision to close the office of Mashaal Radio was taken by the Interior Ministry after it was found that the office of Mashaal Radio was being run without the mandatory licensing required under the applicable laws. "Mashaal Radio website/broadcast remains functional. The US side has also been duly apprised of this decision," he added.

About reports that EU has linked the renewal of Pakistan's GSP Plus status with the release of Asia Bibi, a blasphemy convict, Dr Faisal said that Pakistan and the European Union have been partners in peace, stability and economic development for decades.

"Pakistan had been granted GSP Plus status by the EU after meeting basic criteria for the scheme, like 9 other countries. Eligibility criteria for grant of GSP Plus status and its continuation includes adherence to and fulfilling obligations to the treaty bodies of the 27 international conventions in the field of environment and climate change, labor rights, human rights, narcotics and corruption," he added.

The spokesman said that Special Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Tasnim Aslam met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov in Moscow on January 31, 2018. The focus of discussions was on Afghanistan. Both sides expressed satisfaction at the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and reiterated their resolve to further deepen cooperation between Pakistan and Russia in the fields of trade, energy, defense, education and other fields of mutual interest, he added. He said Russian side appreciated Pakistan's commitment to fighting terrorism and expressed willingness to further strengthen cooperation and support Pakistan's efforts to fight terrorism.