Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Pakistan shows guarded reaction to Clinton's Taliban threat

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, April 24, IRNA - Pakistan Thursday showed guarded reaction to a statement by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that Pakistani government is abdicating to the Taliban and other militant groups.

Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit in his weekly press briefing avoided criticism at Clinton’s statement, who in a testimony before the House Foreign Relations Committee warned that nuclear-armed Pakistan is becoming ‘mortal threat’ to the world.

Asked to comment on Hillary Clinton’s remarks, the spokesman said, “People and government of Pakistan fully understand complexities and challenges confronting the country and the region”.

“It is precisely for this reason that the democratic government firmly believes in a holistic approach to deal with these challenges”.

He said there is a need for a well integrated approach to tackle the issue of extremism and terrorism and to root out its causes including political, security and socio-economic aspects.

The spokesman said that Pakistan continues to play a positive and constructive role.

“It is victim of terrorism and with its inherent national resilience and strength the country will succeed both against internal and external threats”.

The spokesamn said Pakistan has taken strong exception to unwarranted remarks of Israeli Foreign Minister about Pakistan and said that efforts to malign or isolate the country will not succeed.

The Israeli Foreign Minister said in an interview that Pakistan is more serious threat to the Zionist regime than Iran.

“Pakistan is moderate and progressive nation,” he said adding, the recent meeting of the Friend of Democratic Pakistan is clearly demonstrated that the international community fully supports the country in its efforts to curb the scourge of terrorism and extremism.

He said there is a need for a well integrated approach to tackle the issue of extremism and terrorism and to root out its causes including political, security and socio-economic aspects.

To another question, he said Pakistan's problems and challenges are spilled over effects of long conflict in Afghanistan.

He reiterated that there is gap between Pakistan and the United States over drone attacks and the country would take up the issue once again during forthcoming trilateral meeting in Washington.

Asked about implications of Indian spy satellite for Pakistan, the spokesman said Pakistan is facing high premium on maintaining the strategic stability in South Asia.

“It has repeatedly underscored the need for a comprehensive strategic restraint regime which is the fundamental interest of the people of the region”.

He hoped that India and international community would be mindful of the imperative needs of addressing the pressing issues facing the region.

He said Pakistan is mindful of the challenges posed to its security by induction of new technology and weapons system by India. Implications of Indian satellite are being evaluated.

He, however, assured that Pakistan is fully capable of safeguarding its security.

He said Pakistan is in touch with the UK over detention of Pakistani students and hoped that the issue will be resolved in a mutually satisfactory manner.

He concluded that the UK wants them to deport them to Pakistan but the students want to challenge it in the court and Pakistan Government would assist them in this regard.