‘Pakistan's successes against terror cannot be belittled'

We take exception to David Cameron's statement that Pakistan is exporting terror: Qureshi

Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday took strong exception to British Prime Minister David Cameron's statement in India that Pakistan was exporting terror.

“We take serious exception to any suggestion that falsifies facts and tends to put the entire onus of terrorism on Pakistan,” Mr. Qureshi said in a statement hours after a muted response of the Foreign Office to Mr. Cameron's comments.

Further, the Minister expressed surprise at Mr. Cameron's observation; coming as it does after recent visits by British leadership, including Secretary of State William Hague, provided opportunities for discussion on counter-terrorism.

While sharpening Pakistan's response to the British Prime Minister's observations, he said: “Pakistan's achievements and successes against terrorism cannot be negated or belittled by the disclosure of evidently self-serving and skewed reports on WikiLeaks.”

Earlier in the day, Foreign Office spokesperson Abdul Basit said Pakistan was saddened by Mr. Cameron's remarks which “could have been avoided — especially in India.”

Quizzed about the “soft response” from Pakistan, he explained: “These comments were based on WikiLeaks. One can never draw right conclusions from baseless and skewed reports.”

Maintaining that the country was fighting terror in its own national interest and “not doing anyone any favour,” Mr. Basit refused to comment on reports of Islamabad asking its High Commissioner to the United Kingdom to come home for discussions.

However, Pakistan's response was sharp to Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai's suggestion that international forces ought to target terrorist camps on Pakistani soil. Such a statement, according to Pakistan, was incomprehensible and Islamabad has asked its Ambassador in Kabul to seek a clarification from the Afghanistan government.

Asked why Pakistan found Mr. Karzai's suggestion “incomprehensible,” Mr. Basit said the two countries had been cooperating against terrorism and “we see no reason for these remarks.”

The two statements have put a question mark on President Asif Ali Zardari's visit to the U. K. next week and Mr. Karzai's “request” to visit Islamabad.

Last week, the Foreign Office indicated that Mr. Karzai might come calling this week, but that visit is not on the cards; purportedly because Mr. Zardari is headed for France.

Though Mr. Zardari was initially scheduled to club a visit to the U.K. with France, the Foreign Office made no mention of it while briefing the media on his journey to France beginning August 1. British newspapers have reported that Mr. Zardari is expected in the country next week and slated to stay at the Prime Minister's country retreat of Chequers.

Asked if the President's U. K. visit had been cancelled or postponed, Mr. Basit said: “It is on. The programme is being finalised and it will be announced shortly.”

While Foreign Office officials maintained that calling-off the visit would kick up a big diplomatic row, a calibrated response was being contemplated and Islamabad was keenly monitoring Mr. Cameron's moves in India.