'Motivated statements' to affect Afghan peace efforts, US warned.

ISLAMABAD -- The Foreign Office on Thursday warned that 'motivated statements' by the United States officials on Pakistani counterterrorism efforts could undermine bilateral cooperation for peace in Afghanistan.

'Motivated statements which are devoid of reality have the potential to adversely impact the joint efforts for peace and stability in the region and need to be avoided,' FO spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal said at his weekly media briefing.

He was responding to a question about a statement by US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Dan Coats at the hearing of the Senate Intelligence Committee. He also presented a threat assessment report outlining major security threats to the US. Mr Coats had said: 'Militant groups in Pakistan will continue to take advantage of their safe haven there to plan and conduct attacks in neighbouring countries and possibly beyond.'

Dr Faisal rejected Mr Coats' comments as 'unwarranted and unjustifiable' and disclosed that Pakistan had already lodged a protest with the US over the remarks.

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'We have raised the DNI's statement with the US side, stressing that such controversial statements are counterproductive and urging them to build trust rather than weaken it,' he said.

Pakistan renewed cooperation with the US after President Donald Trump wrote a letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan, requesting him for help in a politically negotiated settlement of the Afghan conflict. Mr Trump later expressed his desire for a meeting with Mr Khan.

Notwithstanding the newfound love for Pakistan being expressed by the Trump administration, there...