He asserted that it must be appreciated that Pakistan has fought the war against terrorism largely from its own resources, which has cost over $ 123 billion in 15 years. "We are determined to continue to do all that is necessary to secure the lives of our people and ensure broader stability in the region," he said. He stated, "Pakistan believes that our efforts have helped decimate al Qaeda and other terrorist groups who take advantage of ungoverned spaces in Afghanistan and pose a common threat to peace and stability."
"Working towards enduring peace requires mutual respect and trust along with perseverance. Emergence of new and more deadly groups such as Daesh in Afghanistan requires enhancement and strengthening of international cooperation," he said, adding that arbitrary deadlines, unilateral pronouncements and shifting goalposts are counterproductive in addressing common threats.
On a reported visit by a US delegation to the country recently, he expressed his inability to confirm, saying: "Since, it is being done outside media glare; I cannot share further details."
Responding a query, he said that Pakistan has neither talked about nor thought of hot pursuit. "We have repeatedly said that we will take action against any terrorist element, in Pakistan, if actionable intelligence is shared with us," he said. Similarly, he added that Pakistan expects that the Afghan side will also do the same so that the menace of terrorism, which is a global phenomenon, can be rooted out.
He rejected the allegations of the presence of Taliban leadership in Pakistan, saying, "We completely deny this allegation." "On the basis of intelligence shared with the US, we have been able to secure the region and decimate al Qaeda," he said, adding this has been acknowledged by the US leadership. "We have conveyed to the US that actionable intelligence sharing can help in advancing the shared goal of defeating terrorism from the region," he asserted.
On the recent meetings among chiefs of US CIA, India's RAW and Afghan NDS officials, he said: "We are aware of all these things that are happening and appropriate steps are being taken in this regard." To another query, he said that Pakistan has been facilitating the US-led mission in Afghanistan through its ground and air lines of communication for the last 16 years, adding that Pakistan's support to the US has been critical in dealing with the challenges of terrorism in the region. "Both sides understand the importance of the lines of communication," he added.
However clarifying foreign minister's recent remarks, he said that the statement needs to be seen in the 'proper perspective.' The foreign minister was expressing his frustration at the unwarranted US accusations against Pakistan and the unilateral decision to suspend the security assistance despite Pakistan's extraordinary sacrifices and contribution in the war against terrorism, he asserted. "We believe that continued Pak-US cooperation is important for the stability of the region, especially Afghanistan," he added.
The decision to suspend Pakistan's security assistance is a unilateral step by the US, which would have its negative implications for the stability of the region, he said. "On our part, we have stated that we do not seek US assistance," he added. He stated that Pakistan's commitment to continuing its counterterrorism and law enforcement actions throughout the country will continue in its national interest, irrespective of any suspension of foreign assistance.
On the recent Quetta terrorist attack, he said that security officials in their briefing to Islamabad-based foreign diplomats informed that the Quetta attack has been traced back to Afghanistan. "The traces of the last terrorist attack in Quetta also led to Afghanistan and we shared those details with the Afghan side," the spokesperson said, adding Pakistan has repeatedly conveyed its concerns to the Afghan government about the presence of safe havens and anti-Pakistan hostile elements in Afghanistan that are responsible for the heinous terrorist attacks in Pakistan with loss of precious lives.
About dialogue with India, he said Pakistan's position is very clear, adding, "We are ready to talk on all outstanding issues with India." He said that Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the core issue among these which also include the issue of Sir Creek and Siachen as well as people to people contacts, trade, prisoners, etc.
He said that Pakistan has consistently maintained that the only way forward is through a comprehensive, result-oriented and uninterruptible dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues. "We are also ready to talk about the issue of terrorism, which is a global phenomenon, and call for global and concerted action," he said. However, since India is not ready to talk to Pakistan, nothing much can be done, he added.
To another query he said that the 11th Pak-Saudi Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) is going to take place in Islamabad on January 16-17. Dr Majed Abdullah Al-Qasabi, Minister of Commerce and Investment will lead the Saudi delegation, he said.
He said that the agenda of the JMC is comprehensive with particular focus on exploring ways and means for enhancing bilateral trade, commercial and investment relations. The delegation will also include prominent businessmen to have business-to-business meetings in Pakistan.