Islamabad, Jan 12
Pakistan Friday angrily hit out at the United States that dubbed it
as a hub of the Al-Qaeda, saying that it had done more than any
other country in the world in breaking the back of the global terror
network.
John Negroponte, the chief of US intelligence, told the Senate
Select Committee on Intelligence that the United States has for the
first time identified Pakistan as the hub of a worldwide web of Al
Qaeda connections while asserting that India, which has been a major
target for jehadis due to the insurgency in Kashmir, would remain a
reliable ally against global terrorism.
A spokesperson for the foreign ministry, when asked to comment on
Negroponte's testimony, said Pakistan's fight against terror was
appreciated by the international community, including the US
leadership.
"This (Pakistan's role) has been appreciated by the international
community including the US leadership. It is also a fact that there
are Al Qaeda elements active in the Middle East, North Africa and
Europe, as Mr. Negroponte has said but it would be incorrect to link
them to any remnants of Al-Qaeda in Pakistan," a foreign ministry
statement said.
The spokesperson went on to add that Pakistan continues to pursue
these remnants as well as other terrorists and extremist elements.
"We are addressing this challenge first and foremost in the interest
of our security and peace and development of our society. As part of
international coalition against terrorism, our efforts are also
helping the international community to counter this grave danger."
"When Mr. Negroponte mentions the capture and killing of hundreds of
Al-Qaeda members since 9/11, he should acknowledge the efforts of
the country that made this possible."
The foreign ministry pointed out that Pakistan remained committed to
fighting international terrorism and extremism and in this endeavor,
the focus must always remain on cooperation instead of questionable
criticism.
"In this context, we have noted the positive statement by head of
International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF) on
Wednesday that Pakistan's help has been crucial in containing
insurgency in Afghanistan and ISAF has been the beneficiary of
strong actions taken by Pakistan.
Pakistan was singled out for the first time in a Congressional
testimony as the centre of the network accused of the Sep 11, 2001
attacks on New York and Washington that killed nearly 3,000 people.
"They are cultivating stronger operational connections and
relationships that radiate outward from their leaders' secure
hideout in Pakistan to affiliates throughout the Middle East, North
Africa and Europe," Negroponte said in his annual assessment of
worldwide threats against the US and its interests.
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