Pakistan says disappointed at U.S. senate deliberations

Pakistan showed disappointment at some remarks made during the recent deliberations in the U.S. Senate about the presence of the terrorist sanctuaries in the country.

Some U.S. lawmakers and commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan General John Nicholson said at last week's Congressional hearing that the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani Network still have safe heavens in Pakistani cities.

Gen Nicholson had also pushed the Trump administration to conduct "holistic review" of relationship with Pakistan. However, the general and the U.S. senators acknowledged Pakistan's sacrifices in the war on terror and underlined the importance of relationship with Pakistan.

Pakistan Foreign Ministry welcomed the sentiments of those who have acknowledged Pakistan's commitment to supporting the realization of a stable and peaceful Afghanistan, and those who expressed a desire to work with Pakistan to eliminate terrorism.

But it was upset at the allegations of terrorist centers on Pakistani soil, the ministry said.

"We are, however, disappointed with some of the assertions and insinuations made in the recent discussions about terrorist safe havens in Pakistan that we feel are misplaced and not in sync with the current situation on the ground," the Foreign Ministry spokesman said in response to the discussions in the U.S. on Afghanistan and Pakistan-U.S. relations.

"The discussions speak of a multiplicity of factors both military and non-military that contribute to the existing stalemate in Afghanistan. Therefore, singling out Pakistan and pinning the entire blame on Pakistan for the situation in Afghanistan is neither fair nor accurate, nor is it borne out by the ground realities," he said in a statement issued late Monday.

The spokesman said his country has been successful in destroying and eliminating the command and control structure of terrorist outfits operating from Pakistan-Afghan border.

"Terrorist groups attacking Pakistan have found safe havens in Afghanistan. The recent elimination in Afghanistan of terrorists involved in a number of heinous acts of terror in Pakistan clearly demonstrates the existence of safe havens in Afghanistan for elements attacking Pakistan," he said.

The spokesman said the nexus between Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan Province and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan is also a source of deep concern for Pakistan.

"We need to prevent the emergence of new and more virulent entities committed to spreading chaos and insecurity in the region. This calls for closer cooperation based on confidence and trust. Pointing fingers and throwing blame at others would be unhelpful and counter-productive," he said. Endit