ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Thursday warned that “motivated statements” by the United States officials on Pakistani counterterrorism efforts could undermine bilateral cooperation for peace in Afghanistan.

“Motivated statements which are devoid of reality have the potential to adversely impact the joint efforts for peace and stability in the region and need to be avoided,” FO spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal said at his weekly media briefing.

He was responding to a question about a statement by US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Dan Coats at the hearing of the Senate Intelligence Committee. He also presented a threat assessment report outlining major security threats to the US. Mr Coats had said: “Militant groups in Pakistan will continue to take advantage of their safe haven there to plan and conduct attacks in neighbouring countries and possibly beyond.”

Dr Faisal rejected Mr Coats’ comments as “unwarranted and unjustifiable” and disclosed that Pakistan had already lodged a protest with the US over the remarks.

FO spokesman says no restrictions on Aasia Bibi’s movement

“We have raised the DNI’s statement with the US side, stressing that such controversial statements are counterproductive and urging them to build trust rather than weaken it,” he said.

Pakistan renewed cooperation with the US after President Donald Trump wrote a letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan, requesting him for help in a politically negotiated settlement of the Afghan conflict. Mr Trump later expressed his desire for a meeting with Mr Khan.

Notwithstanding the newfound love for Pakistan being expressed by the Trump administration, there have been multiple indications that perceptions about Pakistan in Washington have not changed even though the US government may have expediently changed its strategy on dealing with it.

The FO spokesman reminded that Pakistan was facilitating direct talks between the United States and Taliban in good faith and in the spirit of shared responsibility, and at the request of Afghanistan and the US. He noted that the US-Taliban talks were proceeding in the right direction.

“There are actors in Afghanistan and the region whose interest is served by perpetual conflict in the country. Such characters have scuttled attempts of peace talks in the past and are trying to undermine the ongoing Afghan peace process,” Dr Faisal maintained and called for remaining watchful of these detractors and exposing them.

Aasia Bibi

In reply to a question about the Supreme Court verdict upholding Aasia Bibi’s acquittal on blasphemy charges, the FO spokesman said: “She is a free citizen of Pakistan and there are no restrictions on her movement, as per law.”

Several countries had after Aasia’s acquittal expressed interest in giving her asylum, but she could not leave the country because of the review petition filed against the apex court’s decision.

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2019