ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has serious concerns regarding motion with theFinancial Action Task Force (FATF) for placing Pakistan on a watch list,Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal Thursday said.
During his weekly media briefing here, he said FATF is an internationalbody that sets standards relating to combating of money laundering andterrorist financing. “Such motions are aimed to hamper the economic growthof Pakistan”, he added.
He said Pakistan remains committed to combating terrorism in all its formsand manifestations and ongoing terrorist combating operations by Pakistanarmy are proof of our commitment towards combating this menace.
Replying to a question, Dr Faisal said Afghan president’s tweets regardingNaqeeb ullah Mehsud case is an act of interference in Pakistan’s internalaffair.
He said Pakistan strongly rejects the allegations of certain Indian policeand defense officials and media insinuations in connection with thereported attack on Sunjwan camp in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Replying to another query, Pakistan and India has fundamental disputeregarding Kashmir issue and all other problems cannot be solved between thetwo countries unless the political settlement of Kashmir issue takes place.
“A particular segment in the Indian media runs with their clear intentionto malign Pakistan and whips up public frenzy, we hope world communitywould take due cognizance of India’s smear campaign against Pakistan andthe deliberate creation of war hysteria,” he added.
On the recent comments of the Defense Minister of India, Dr Faisal saidfamiliar Indian tendency of apportioning blame on Pakistan, withoutconcrete evidence, is regrettable. The reflex assignment of blame and smearcampaigns, based on unfounded allegations, carry no credibility.
Spokesperson said India’s rapidly growing nuclear programme poses threat toregional peace and stability and negates India’s own claims of disarmpolicy.
He said Pakistan is never apologetic regarding its foreign policy and isfully committed and capable of defending itself against any act ofaggression.
“We expect the international community to take cognizance of thebelligerent and repeated Indian statements against Pakistan, which are notonly against international law but also threatens regional peace andsecurity”, he added.
Regarding the media reports of deputy leader of the bannedTehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Khalid Mehsud Sajna, he said Pakistanappreciates any action taken against the enemies of Pakistan.
He said Pakistan does not support any move by foreign states to interferein the internal affairs of Maldives and influence its upcoming elections.“Non-interference in the domestic affairs of other countries has alwaysbeen the key principle of our foreign policy”, he added.
He paid condolences on the behalf of people and the Government of Pakistanover the tragic crash of a Russian passenger aircraft, resulting in theloss of seventy-one precious lives. – APP