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Pakistan 'disappointed' by US policy statement

ISLAMABAD, Aug 22 (KUNA) - The United States policy statement on Afghanistan and South Asia announced by President Donald Trump "disappointed" Pakistan as it ignores the enormous sacrifices rendered by the Pakistani nation in fight against terrorism, said Pakistan Foreign Office (FO).
A press release on Tuesday, the FO rejected US President's allegations in the new US strategy on Afghanistan and South Asia that Pakistan offers safe haven to "agents of chaos." "As a matter of policy, Pakistan does not allow use of its territory against any country. Instead of relying on the false narrative of safe havens, the US needs to work with Pakistan to eradicate terrorism.
"It is disappointing that the US policy statement ignores the enormous sacrifices rendered by the Pakistani nation" in the fight against terrorism," according to the statement. "No country in the world has done more than Pakistan to counter the menace of terrorism. No country in the world has suffered more than Pakistan from the scourge of terrorism, often perpetrated from outside our borders," the FO asserted.
In response to Trump's call for more US troops in Afghanistan, the FO reiterated Pakistan's view that there is "no exclusive military solution to the crisis in Afghanistan." "The military action during the last 17 years has not brought peace to Afghanistan, and it is not likely to do so in the future. "Only an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, politically-negotiated solution can lead to sustainable peace in Afghanistan," said the press release.
"Threat to peace and security cannot be isolated from the complex interplay of geopolitics, continued existence of festering disputes and pursuit of hegemonic policies. Non-resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the primary obstacle to peace and stability in the region," it noted.
The statement reiterated that Pakistan is committed to working with the international community towards the common objective of defeating the forces of terrorism and to promote peace and stability in the South Asian region.
Trump's strategy was discussed in the regular session of the Cabinet on Tuesday. Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has already convened a meeting of the National Security Committee on August 24 to deliberate on the issue. (end) sbk.gb