US report on terror overlooks factual situation, Pakistan’s sacrifices in fight against terrorism: FO

• FO said Pakistan's struggle and efforts against terrorism have made the world a safer place.
• Pakistan is committed to take concrete actions under its National Action Plan, the FO statement reads.

Expressing disappointment with the Country Report on Terrorism 2018 by US, Pakistan has said that the report completely overlooks the factual situation and the tremendous contribution and sacrifices rendered by Pakistan over the last two decades in the international struggle against terrorism.

The US Department of State's Country Report on Terrorism 2018 was published on November 1. Following this, the Foreign Office (FO) issued a statement on Tuesday and said that Pakistan has always stressed that counter-terrorism efforts can be effectively advanced through constructive engagement.

"We hope Pakistan’s commitment, contributions and sacrifices would be fully recognized and appreciated in the right perspective," the statement said. The statement also said that Pakistan's struggle and efforts against terrorism have not only resulted in the elimination of Al-Qaeda, but have also made the world a safer place.

The statement further said that Pakistan is continuing actions to fully implement the Financial Action Task Force Action Plan. "Pakistan is committed to take concrete actions under its National Action Plan. Pakistan has taken extensive legal and administrative measures for implementation of its obligations under the UNSC 1267 sanctions regime for the freezing of assets and denial of funds and economic resources to all designated entities and individuals," the FO statement said.

The statement added that while the report says that Pakistan faces threat of terrorism groups including Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and Islamic State’s Khorasan Province, 'it failed to mention that these groups continue to conduct terrorist activities against Pakistan from across the border'.

The press release also said that Pakistan has facilitated US and Taliban direct talks in the context of the Afghan peace and reconciliation process in good faith. “Any insinuation to the contrary is unwarranted and is inconsistent with the positive trajectory of the bilateral relations,” statement said.

The US report had said that while Pakistani government voiced support for political reconciliation between the Afghan government and the Afghan Taliban, ‘it did not restrict the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani Network from operating in Pakistan-based safe havens and threatening the US and Afghan forces in Afghanistan’.