ISLAMABAD: Pakistan鈥檚 National Security Committee has rejected the Trump administration鈥檚 accusation that Islamabad is harboring terrorists.
Pakistan has taken action 鈥渁gainst all terrorist networks and sacrificed tens of thousands of troops and civilians in this fight,鈥� said the committee, comprising military top brass, Cabinet members and civilians.
鈥淭he demonstrable security improvements inside Pakistan would not have been possible without eliminating all terrorist hideouts,鈥� it added.
鈥淭here should be understanding and recognition of our efforts, contributions and the sacrifice of thousands of Pakistanis鈥� We consider the lives of the citizens of other countries as sacrosanct as those of our own and, therefore, Pakistan is committed to not allowing its soil to be used for violence against any other country.鈥�
The committee said: 鈥淲e would like to see effective and immediate US military efforts to eliminate sanctuaries harboring terrorists and miscreants on Afghan soil, including those responsible for fomenting terror in Pakistan. The Afghan war cannot be fought in Pakistan.鈥�
Islamabad has long demanded that Afghanistan eliminate sanctuaries on its soil to which terrorists escape and then launch attacks against Pakistan.
The committee criticized the recent US leaning toward India because the latter 鈥渉as conflictual relationships with all its neighbors and is pursuing a policy of destabilizing Pakistan from east and west.鈥�
Regarding the safety and security of Pakistan鈥檚 nuclear program, the committee said: 鈥淎s a responsible nuclear weapon state, Pakistan has... a robust and credible command and control system.鈥�