US terror report completely overlooks factual position: FO.

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan yesterday rejected the US Department of State's Country Report on Terrorism 2018, concerning its counter-terrorism efforts, saying it 'completely overlooks' the factual position.

A foreign ministry statement said the report 'completely overlooks the factual situation on the ground and the tremendous contribution made and sacrifices rendered by Pakistan over the last two decades in the international struggle against terrorism.'

It added: 'These efforts have not only resulted in the elimination of Al-Qaeda from this region, but have also made the world a safer place.'

The US State Department report on terrorism - mandated by the US Congress - criticised Pakistan for allegedly failing to significantly limit terrorist groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad from 'raising money, recruiting, and training in Pakistan' and allowing 'candidates overtly affiliated with LeT front organisations to contest the July 2018 general elections.'

The report, released last week, said that although Pakistan's laws comply with international anti-money laundering and terrorism financing standards, the 'authorities failed to uniformly implement UN sanctions related to designated entities and individuals such as LeT and its affiliates, which continued to make use of economic resources and raise funds.'

The US report, which comes close on the heels of the warnings by Paris-headquartered anti-money laundering multilateral body Financial Action Task Force to Pakistan, also referred to the country's support to political reconciliation between the Afghanistan government and the Taliban.

The report however, said Pakistan 'did not restrict the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani Network from operating in Pakistan-based safe havens and threatening the US and Afghan forces in Afghanistan'.

The foreign ministry said Pakistan was committed to take concrete actions under its National Action Plan. 'Pakistan has taken extensive legal and administrative measures for implementation of its obligations under the UNSC 1267 sanctions regime for the freezing of assets and denial of funds and economic resources to all designated entities and individuals. 'Pakistan is continuing actions to fully implement the FATF Action Plan,' it said.

As noted in the Report, Pakistan faces the threat of terrorism from a number of groups including Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, Jamaatul Ahrar and Islamic State Khorasan Province.

The report, however, fails to...