Pence’s comments on Pakistan are alarming, says foreign secy

• Janjua assures Pakistan successful in defending its narrative on multilateral fora

ISLAMABAD: The recent comments by US Vice President Mike Pence against Pakistan are worrisome, Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua told a meeting of Senate committee on Friday.

Earlier in the day, in an apparent warning, Pence said; “Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our efforts in Afghanistan. The days of sheltering terrorists have gone. It has much to lose by continuing to harbour terrorists.” He said US President Trump has “put Pakistan on notice for providing safe haven” to the terrorists on its soil.

Addressing the Senate’s Standing Committee on External Affairs, she said, “The Foreign Office is in conversation with the US on the concerns that are not just one sided but two-way, underscoring that Pakistan has been successful to strongly present and defend its narrative in the war on terror at a number of multilateral fora.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Senator Nuzhat Sadiq at the Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services in Islamabad and was attended among others by senators Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Farhatullah Babar, Karim Ahmed Khawaja, Daud Khan Achakzai, the foreign secretary, Foreign Affairs special secretary, and Cabinet Division special secretary.

The meeting was told that understanding on both sides about addressing concerns and taking the relationship progressively. The meeting took place after the US vice president’s veiled warning to Pakistan during his surprise visit to Afghanistan on the same day.

Janjua pointed out that US Defence chief James Mattis— during a recent visit to Pakistan— had assured the government of resolving the issue of terrorists using Afghan soil to carry out attacks in Pakistan.

Pakistan has destroyed many terrorist safe havens in the country and all issues with India should be resolved through negotiations, the foreign secretary further said.

Regarding irregularities and legal discrepancies in the bidding process for Visa facilitation services by the High Commission for Pakistan in London, the Senate committee was apprised that contracts haven’t been awarded, as the secretary asked for some time to respond to the queries due to incompletion of the process.

Lauding the United Nations’ resolution against US decision on Jerusalem, Janjua said Pakistan’s position on Palestine has been clear. Surprisingly, India also voted in favour of the UN resolution, she remarked.