Foreign Office clarifies Sartaj Aziz statement on ties with militant groups

FO statement comes a day after Sartaj Aziz argued that Pakistan does not need to antagonise all militant groups

ISLAMABAD: Clarifying an earlier statement of the prime minister’s senior aide, Sartaj Aziz, the Foreign Office on Tuesday said Aziz had made the statement in a “historical context.”

The statement comes a day after the adviser to the prime minister on national security and foreign affairs in an interview to BBC Urdu disapproved the conventional wisdom of indiscriminately targeting all shades of militants in the ongoing military operations in the tribal regions, arguing in favour of a more selective approach.

“Why should Pakistan target those who do not pose any threat to its security?” asked Aziz, arguing, “The enemies of [the United States of] America have become enemies of Pakistan for no reason.”

Referring to his statements, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam affirmed Pakistan’s commitment to fight all militants and said, “Pakistan has launched Operation Zarb-e-Azb and is taking action against all groups without any distinction and discrimination.”

"Pakistan's policy and actions should be seen in the light of its commitment to fight terrorism in all forms and manifestations," the spokesperson emphasised.

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