ahlam1399
07-15-2016, 04:02 AM
Refuses to comment on McCain’s call for extension in Gen Raheel’s tenure; praises COAS’s determination to continue war against terrorists; opposes suspension of Pak financial assistance
WASHINGTON: Supporting Pakistan’s efforts for combating terrorism, violent extremism and building a more stable and democratic society is in the long-term national interest of the US, State Department Spokesman Mark Toner said on Wednesday.
He was replying to a question during a briefing at the State Department on the recent visit of Senator John McCain and a recent hearing by a Congress committee, which demanded suspension of financial assistance to Pakistan.
Toner said Pakistan had suffered greatly from terrorism and the US believed that the country was taking steps to address terrorist violence, particularly focused on groups that threaten Pakistan’s stability.
“They (Pakistan) have made progress shutting down terrorist safe havens. They’ve restored government control in many parts of Pakistan that have been used as terrorist safe havens for many years,” Toner said.
He described these efforts as important and meaningful.He was of the opinion that Pakistan must target all militant groups and said the United States welcomed the comments by the army chief General Raheel Sharif made to the law enforcement agencies to take concrete measures to deny militant groups safe havens or use of Pakistani soil for terrorist activities. Toner said the United States did **t support the suspension of financial assistance for Pakistan.
To a question, he said there was ** change in the US policy on Kashmir adding that the United States wanted to see a dialogue between India and Pakistan on how to resolve the Kashmir conflict.
Meanwhile, a Pakistan Embassy spokesman in Washington rejected the allegations made by Congressman Ted Poe in an opinion editorial published recently.Congressman Poe also criticised Pakistan at a hearing held on Tuesday at the Capitol Hill.
The spokesman in a letter to the US News said the views expressed by the Congressman were based on incorrect information and speculative media reports that have been consistently proven false over a period of time.
He stated that since the killing of Osama Bin Laden, it had been established beyond doubt that he was hiding in Pakistan without information or any help from the state.** evidence to the contrary has ever surfaced and the US leadership involved in the specific operation at that time has clearly rejected any insinuation of Pakistan’s complicity.
He said the oped leaves aninsinuation of Pakistan’s complicity. He said the op ed leaves an impression that Pakistan has done **thing to fight terrorism. To the contrary, he said Pakistan had helped the US capture key operatives involved in the tragic 9’11 episode.
These included mastermind Muhammad Khalid Sheikh and alleged 9/11 organizer Ramzi Binalshibh. “During the last two years, Pakistan has also cleared a vast swath of a territory that was previously used by many militant networks including the Haqqani Network,” he added.
The spokesman refused to comment on Senator McCain’s call for extension in the tenure of Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif. Senator McCain said he wanted to see General Raheel Sharif to continue as the army chief so that the military operations can be continued in the tribal area or other parts of the country.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/com/YEor/~4/o4yA24whTV8
أكثر... (http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/com/YEor/~3/o4yA24whTV8/135052-US-supports-democracy-in-Pakistan-State-Dept)
WASHINGTON: Supporting Pakistan’s efforts for combating terrorism, violent extremism and building a more stable and democratic society is in the long-term national interest of the US, State Department Spokesman Mark Toner said on Wednesday.
He was replying to a question during a briefing at the State Department on the recent visit of Senator John McCain and a recent hearing by a Congress committee, which demanded suspension of financial assistance to Pakistan.
Toner said Pakistan had suffered greatly from terrorism and the US believed that the country was taking steps to address terrorist violence, particularly focused on groups that threaten Pakistan’s stability.
“They (Pakistan) have made progress shutting down terrorist safe havens. They’ve restored government control in many parts of Pakistan that have been used as terrorist safe havens for many years,” Toner said.
He described these efforts as important and meaningful.He was of the opinion that Pakistan must target all militant groups and said the United States welcomed the comments by the army chief General Raheel Sharif made to the law enforcement agencies to take concrete measures to deny militant groups safe havens or use of Pakistani soil for terrorist activities. Toner said the United States did **t support the suspension of financial assistance for Pakistan.
To a question, he said there was ** change in the US policy on Kashmir adding that the United States wanted to see a dialogue between India and Pakistan on how to resolve the Kashmir conflict.
Meanwhile, a Pakistan Embassy spokesman in Washington rejected the allegations made by Congressman Ted Poe in an opinion editorial published recently.Congressman Poe also criticised Pakistan at a hearing held on Tuesday at the Capitol Hill.
The spokesman in a letter to the US News said the views expressed by the Congressman were based on incorrect information and speculative media reports that have been consistently proven false over a period of time.
He stated that since the killing of Osama Bin Laden, it had been established beyond doubt that he was hiding in Pakistan without information or any help from the state.** evidence to the contrary has ever surfaced and the US leadership involved in the specific operation at that time has clearly rejected any insinuation of Pakistan’s complicity.
He said the oped leaves aninsinuation of Pakistan’s complicity. He said the op ed leaves an impression that Pakistan has done **thing to fight terrorism. To the contrary, he said Pakistan had helped the US capture key operatives involved in the tragic 9’11 episode.
These included mastermind Muhammad Khalid Sheikh and alleged 9/11 organizer Ramzi Binalshibh. “During the last two years, Pakistan has also cleared a vast swath of a territory that was previously used by many militant networks including the Haqqani Network,” he added.
The spokesman refused to comment on Senator McCain’s call for extension in the tenure of Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif. Senator McCain said he wanted to see General Raheel Sharif to continue as the army chief so that the military operations can be continued in the tribal area or other parts of the country.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/com/YEor/~4/o4yA24whTV8
أكثر... (http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/com/YEor/~3/o4yA24whTV8/135052-US-supports-democracy-in-Pakistan-State-Dept)