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Washington:
Pakistan should take sustained and irreversible motion in opposition to terrorism, and must display that it’s ready to reside as much as worldwide commitments on weapons of mass destruction, a US diplomat, nominated to be the subsequent envoy to Pakistan, informed lawmakers on Tuesday and hoped that each Islamabad and New Delhi would take the required steps to cut back tensions.
During his affirmation listening to earlier than the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, William Todd, who has been nominated by President Donald Trump as the subsequent US ambassador to Pakistan, informed the lawmakers that peace in Afghanistan is in each the international locations” greatest pursuits, and efficient US-Pakistani cooperation is important to realize that goal.
“In terms of regional dynamics, although we have a strong relationship with India, that does not need to come at the expense of Pakistan. I believe that under the right conditions, we can have a strong relationship with both countries,” Mr Todd stated.
“Our hope is that both countries will take the necessary steps to reduce tensions and as President Trump has offered, we are prepared to facilitate dialogue if both sides request it,” he stated.
“To truly reduce regional tensions and rebuild a strong relationship with the United States, Pakistan must take sustained and irreversible action against terrorism,” Todd asserted.
Senator Bob Menendez, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stated he stays deeply involved in regards to the prevalence of terrorist teams in Pakistan and their influence on the area.
“Progress has been made, but Pakistan must take further action to address this insidious threat, especially Lashkar-e-Toiba. For too long, this group has been able to operate in different forms over the years. If Pakistan wants us to take its counter-terrorism commitments seriously, it must completely eradicate this group,” he stated.
“While we hope for a forward progress with Pakistan, we must be clear-eyed about the significant challenges in the relationship, including the stubborn presence of terrorist groups in the country, tensions with India, treatment of religious minorities and concerns about Pakistan”s growing nuclear stockpile,” Menendez stated.
Noting that Pakistan has suffered terribly itself by the hands of terrorists and has dedicated publicly to make sure that terrorists can not use Pakistani territory to function, Todd informed the lawmakers that Islamabad has taken essential steps towards fulfilling that dedication, however must proceed with that work.
“If confirmed, I will work with Pakistan to advance our shared interest in eliminating terrorism from its territory and advancing security in the region,” he stated.
If confirmed, Todd informed the senators that he’ll actively have interaction Pakistan on these points in addition to strategic stability and non-proliferation, carrying a transparent message on the menace that nuclear weapons pose to the US, the area and “our allies and partners”.
“Pakistan needs to demonstrate that it is prepared to live up to international commitments on weapons of mass destruction,” Todd stated.
Acknowledging that Pakistan performed a essential function in creating the situations that introduced Afghan leaders and the Taliban to the historic begin of the Afghan Peace Negotiations, he stated Islamabad has an much more essential function to play in supporting efforts towards a negotiated political settlement that ends 40 years of warfare.
“This is a moment of opportunity for Pakistan to continue to forge a new and better role in the region and if confirmed, will be one of my highest priorities,” Todd stated.
Menendez additionally expressed issues in regards to the plight of non secular minorities within the nation. He referred to as upon the Pakistani authorities to respect the spiritual rights of all within the nation.
Todd informed the senators that his first aim shall be advancing human rights, significantly freedom of faith and expression. “I was shocked and heartbroken that US citizen Tahir Naseem was killed in a Pakistani courtroom in which he was facing an accusation of blasphemy.
“I grieve with the household of Naseem and if confirmed, will have interaction Pakistani authorities on full accountability for the perpetrators. I’m additionally involved in regards to the growing restrictions on the civil society, together with the rising harassment and disappearances of journalists with out accountability, which undermines the train of the proper of peaceable meeting and freedoms of expression and affiliation,” Todd stated
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