Trump’s statement: Pakistan welcomes Chinese support

ISLAMABAD: A day after some unforgiving and mischievous criticism from President Donald Trump, Pakistan welcomed the staunch support it received from its strongest ally, Beijing, which lauded its efforts for its “outstanding contribution against terrorism” which should be acknowledged by “the international community”.

China was the first in from world capitals which raised its voice in support, with other allies and anti-Trump voices which have supported Pakistan’s sacrifices against terrorism to follow. The New Year saw Pak-US bilateral relations at an all-time low, when in the crazy early morning hours, Trump in a policy Tweet had accused Islamabad of “lies and deceit” while “giving safe havens to terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan”.

The US president chose to forget his own words when in a Tweet in October he had tweeted, “Starting to develop a much better relationship with Pakistan and its leaders.” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang in a statement said, “Pakistan has made great endeavours and sacrifice to fight against terrorism, and made remarkable contribution in the counter-terrorism campaign. This should be recognised by all. Meanwhile, we are happy to see Pakistan and other countries conducting cooperation based on mutual respect including anti-terror cooperation, and working hand in hand to maintain regional peace and stability.”

He went on to add that Pakistan and China are all weather partners and, “China will continue to deepen cooperation in various areas with Pakistan and benefit the two people.” Trump’s uncalled-for criticism has sent shock waves amongst those who were encouraged by the trilateral meetings among Pakistan, Afghanistan and China where besides agreeing on other issues they also resolved to join hands to fight terror in the region.

This did not escape Geng Shuang who, when asked, whether Trump’s accusations would harm trilateral efforts among Pakistan, China and Afghanistan remarked that the three are closely linked not only geographically but also in terms of common interests and it is natural for them to enhance communication and exchanges.

“As neighbours linked by rivers and mountains and shared common interests and cultural origins, it’s natural and necessary for China, Afghan and Pakistan to conduct cooperation. We have reached many consensuses during the trilateral meeting in eight aspects. For example, the three parties agreed to further deepen coordination and cooperation in terms of fight against terrorism and indiscriminately crack down on terror groups and terrorists. I believe the three countries will follow through these consensuses reached by three for ministers and continuously step up counter terror cooperation,“ he said.

Meanwhile, extraordinary secrecy was seen late Monday night at the Foreign Office when there were strict orders from Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua to ensure that news about her summoning of the American Ambassador David Hale to the Foreign Office did not make it to the public domain.

So sensitive was the ministry to ensure that no embarrassment was caused to Hale that even a senior diplomat in Grade 20, spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal told The News, “I am not allowed to comment on this issue. I was in the office at around 9:00pm in case a statement had to be issued but instructed not to comment.”

When asked if these instructions to keep a matter of public interest secret were given by his immediate boss, the Foreign Secretary, he responded, “Well, that would be a matter of detail.” When told that the summoning was old news and even the US Embassy had confirmed it so why he was shying away, the response was that the media was welcome to share the views of the US Embassy but the Foreign Office would not comment.

The extent to try to hide news in this age and time is mind boggling specially when in the past, the Foreign Office has not shied away when the High Commissioners of Great Britain and India and Ambassadors of Afghanistan and Switzerland to name a few, have been summoned recently.

Also baffling and maybe the blast from Washington was responsible that when as per traditions and protocol, New Delhi on January 1 made public a statement about the Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between India and Pakistan, the Foreign Office issued it on January 2. Every year both countries simultaneously issue statements on the morning of January 1 regarding the agreement containing details of their nuclear installations and facilities.