Pakistan Has Paid A Heavy Price In Human, Economic Terms In

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th August, 2016) : Pakistan on Thursday said it has paid a heavy price, both in human and economic terms, during the war on terror, with over sixty thousand precious lives lost. The reaction came from Foreign Office, following the decision by the Pentagon, not to release 300 million dollars in Coalition Support Fund (CSF) to Pakistan in military reimbursements. Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakariya told reporters at the weekly briefing that the CSF was helpful in Pakistan's offensive against the terrorists.

He said Pakistan has suffered more than any other country in the war on terror. "Sixty thousand people including six thousand security personnel have lost their lives in this war," he told the reporters. He said the military operation Zarb-e-Azb has seen a resounding success and last bastions of terrorists in country's tribal areas have now been cleared.

Zakariya said Pakistan would continue its fight against terrorism with a firm resolve and determination and said it would ensure that the cleared areas do not return to the control of terrorists.

He said Pakistan was taking action against all the terrorist groups without any distinction. To a question, the Spokesperson said, "Phenomenon of terrorism is not country specific but it is a global issue. Our sincerity and resolve is unquestionable and acknowledged in the West including the US government." To a question about the proscription of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA) by the United States, the spokesperson said Pakistan welcomes the decision.

"Pakistan has long pleaded concrete action against the TTP and their like who operate in Afghanistan, and they have planned and launched a number of attacks in Pakistan while operating from there," Nafees Zakaria said. He said the Primary objective of border management with Afghanistan was to regulate movement of people and prevent incursion of terrorists and undesired elements.

He said the two sides have evolved a mechanism to discuss border related issues, however, he expressed surprise and disappointment over the recent statements by Afghan officials on the construction of a gate at Torkham.

The Spokesperson said the construction of the gate, within Pakistan's territory was to regulate cross-border movement of people and clarified that there were no bilateral agreements between the two countries, barring any such construction.

Responding to a question on the Kashmir dispute, the spokesperson said Pakistan would continue to extend moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people in their just struggle for the right of self-determination. He said Pakistan has taken up the recent wave of atrocities unleashed by the Indian troops in the occupied valley over the last one month with the international community and human rights organizations, who also expressed serious concerns over the prevailing situation in the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK). The Spokesperson said Pakistan's missions abroad have sensitized the human rights organizations and their host countries about the Indian persecution of innocent Kashmiris. He said today there was growing realization in the world about the sensitivity of Kashmir dispute and added it was of distinct nature and could not be equated with any other issue. In this regard, he also recalled several UNSC Resolutions on the matter. To a question, the Spokesperson said, "Kashmir is an international issue.

It is on the agenda of the UN Security Council. There are UNSC resolutions that have been there for the last 60 years. A plebiscite has to take place under UN supervision." "We have taken up this issue bilaterally with most countries.

We have briefed all UNSC members here in Islamabad, OIC member countries, African countries and European countries representatives," he added. The Spokesperson further said that Advisor to PM for Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has written letters to the High Commissioner of UNHRC, the President of UNSC, Secretary General United Nations, OIC Secretary General, Foreign Ministers of the OIC Contact Group on Kashmir Members. To a question about the stranded Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia, he said Pakistan's mission has taken several measures to mitigate their problems.

"We have taken all measures and are constantly in contact with the Saudi government, the companies and the Pakistani employees. The Government of Saudi Arabia has extended cooperation. To a great extent, the matter has been addressed adequately," the Spokesperson added.