ISLAMABAD: Dismissing Pakistan-specific reference in the India-US joint statement as “one-sided, misleading and contrary to the diplomatic norms”, Pakistan Friday expressed surprise that the reference had been added to the joint statement notwithstanding its counterterrorism cooperation with the United States.
“Such references cannot cover up India’s sponsorship of terrorism, subversion and extrajudicial assassinations in the region and beyond; nor can they shift international attention from the stark reality of India being a safe haven for the perpetrators of hate crimes against Muslims and other minorities,” said the Foreign Office spokesperson during the weekly media briefing here.
Thursday’s joint statement issued at the conclusion of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington asked Pakistan to ensure its territory was not used for cross-border terrorist attacks and called on it to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks.
It also pointed to what it said were “Pakistan based” terrorist groups like Jaish e Mohammad and Lashkar e Tayyiba.
“The ‘Joint Statement’ fails to address non-compliance of India with the UNSC resolutions which is the key source of tension and instability in the region and to take cognizance of the grim human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK). Regrettably, this is tantamount to abdication of international responsibility,” added the spokesperson.
Pakistan also remains committed to continuing with the counterterror efforts to address the issue of terrorism including the acts of terrorism perpetrated by foreign elements.
The spokesperson pointed out that the international community recognized Pakistan’s efforts and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
“As a country that has enormously suffered from terrorism, Pakistan would continue to contribute constructively to the regional and global efforts to promote peace and stability in the region. It remains committed to bringing the fight against terrorism to its logical conclusion by eliminating this scourge from its soil,” he clarified.
While President Trump announced that the US would ramp up weapons sales to India, including the supersonic F-35 fighter jets, after a meeting with Modi, the Indian Ministry for External Affairs said this was still at “a proposal stage”.
Pakistan expressed what it said was its “deep concern” over the planned transfer of advanced military technologies to India.
“Such steps accentuate military imbalances in the region and undermine strategic stability. They remain unhelpful in achieving the objective of a durable peace in South Asia,” pointed out the spokesperson.
Pakistan urged its international partners to take a holistic and 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.
To a query on the issue, the spokesperson responded, “I have been commenting on India’s overall approach, but specifically on the question of transfer of advanced military weapons, such steps accentuate military imbalances in the region and undermine strategic stability. They remain unhelpful in achieving the objectives of a durable peace in South Asia”.
To another query, the spokesman said he very much doubted that any country felt threatened by Pakistan’s defence preparedness, except whatever the Indian media was saying.
“Our defense preparedness is essentially for defensive purposes. We don’t have any aggressive designs. We don’t pursue expansionist policy, the way one of our neighbors does. For propaganda purposes, whipping up, making out a threat, is a different issue. But objectively speaking, the whole world knows our entire preparedness is for defensive purposes. It remains focused on ensuring Pakistan’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and defense of the territory,” he added.
Overall the spokesperson said Pakistan-US relations remain very important, as it’s a multi-dimensional relationship, rooted in history, with decades-long history of cooperation.
“It’s a very dense relationship and we remain committed to continuing to work with the new administration for further consolidation and growth of Pakistan-US relations.
These relations, like all relations, are based on fundamental established principles of interstate relations, including the principles of UN charter, non-interference in internal affairs of each other”, he explained.
To a query about a US Congressman who has repeatedly called for the release of PTI leader Imran Khan and questioned the state of democracy in Pakistan, the spokesperson refused to comment.
“Pakistan and the USA remain engaged. The two governments are engaged at multiple levels. We remain committed to working with the new administration to further strengthen Pakistan-US relations. As far as the question of democracy is concerned, it is an individual’s opinion. Elections were held in Pakistan and there is a democratically elected government in the country,” he said.
On reports of Pakistani illegal citizens being deported from the US to Panama before being sent to Pakistan, the spokesperson said he did not have any information in this regard.
“But on the return of illegal migrants, this is an ongoing process between Pakistan and US or any country. For example, if there is an illegal alien living in Pakistan, we send it to the country of his or her origin. Similarly, if there are Pakistanis who have overstayed their visa or who have entered illegally, there are processes in place. It is not just with the US, it is with many countries. Secondly, this kind of coordination and cooperation with the US has been ongoing. The two countries are already in touch to move forward on this,” he explained.
To several queries about the difficulties in acquiring a UAE visa including those that want to visit to witness the Pak-India cricket match, he responded that Pakistan had long-standing relations with the UAE, a very close friend and a robust partner of Pakistan, where through decades, they’ve been working with Pakistan and helping it in so many areas.
“About the speculation regarding any ban imposed on the Pakistanis, what I can say is that there are 1.8 million Pakistanis living and working in the United Arab Emirates. They’ve been contributing to the development of UAE, and they are looked after, according to the local law,” he said.
Commenting on visas, he said the visa was essentially a sovereign prerogative.
“But on the other side we can see that there are so many Pakistanis already traveling to the UAE and all flights are booked. So, I won’t agree with that comment that there is a ban imposed, or there is a proscription for Pakistanis traveling to the UAE. On the specific question about the ICC Trophy, we will also look into it. And I will also request you to get in touch with the Pakistan Cricket Board as well,” he said.
As President Trump reached out to the Russian and Ukrainian leadership and said he was hopeful that the war would end, to a query the spokesperson said the Ukraine issue remained a serious concern for all countries and Pakistan was also impacted by it.
“Even countries like Pakistan are impacted by the growing uncertainty it injects into the international system, and also the volatility of commodity prices and their availability. So, we would welcome any initiative which moves towards a peaceful settlement of this problem. We think the only solution lies in diplomacy which takes care of the concerns of all parties involved and arrives at a mutually peaceful settlement of this tragic conflict,” he added.