Pakistan has taken indiscriminate action against all terrorist groups: Zakaria

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ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria says that the Foreign Office welcomes positive statements emanating from the United States about relations with Pakistan, adding that Pakistan has taken indiscriminate action against all the terrorist groups.

At his weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, he said: “There have been positive developments recently in our relations with the US.”

He said the Prime Minister held a meeting with the US vice president on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly which was followed by the foreign minister visit to Washington and the US delegation visit to Islamabad. He said during these talks both the sides agreed to stay engaged to address the common challenges.

He said that another US delegation is also expected to soon visit Islamabad. He said the recovery of Canadian-American family has added optimism to the relations.

The spokesperson also appreciated the recent statement of US President Donald Trump in which he stated that his country is beginning to develop better relations with Pakistan.

However, he reminded that the terrorist groups are operating from the ungoverned places in Afghanistan.

To a question, Nafees Zakaria said that discovery of mass graves and fake encounters in Occupied Kashmir belie the Indian allegations of cross-border infiltration.

The spokesperson condemned the ongoing Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir and illegal detention of APHC leaders.

Responding to another question about China Pakistan Economic Corridor Project, the spokesperson said the project is aimed at enhancing connectivity. He said it is the flagship project of One Belt One Road landmark initiative of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

About US-Iran tension on the nuclear program, the spokesperson said Pakistan believes that all the sides should honour their commitments and work out the issues through peaceful means.

He said that Pakistan’s victory in the election to the Human Rights Council was a manifestation of international community’s confidence in Pakistan’s role as a responsible member of the UN, leadership and international profile. “The 3-year term starting on 1st January 2018 until 31st December 2020”, he added.

Replying to a question, he said that discovery of mass graves and numerous fake encounters in IoK have exposed Indian lies to the international community. “India is a blatant violator of international laws”, he added.

He expressed grief over the loss of precious lives of innocent people, including personnel of security forces in recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan, and also condemned terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, which has taken a toll on the lives of innocent people there.