India’s reluctance to pursue dialogue with Pakistan would only benefit terrorists, Chaudhry told BBC Urdu in Washington.
He added that the Haqqani Network, the deadliest of all Afghan insurgent groups, was neither friends nor a proxy of Pakistan. “We don’t want them to engage in violence against the United States or Afghanistan because violence against innocent people cannot be condoned.”
Focus on ‘trade, not aid’, says Chaudhry
Chaudhry said Pakistan’s fight against terrorism has been matchless. “We decimated the sanctuaries of terrorists and solved the problems inherited from the times of Afghan jihad [against the Soviet army],” he said while referring to the series of military operation Pakistan has conducted in the tribal regions.
“Declaring Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism is far from reality. It is wishful thinking by a few individuals who try to exaggerate such stories,” he said in response to a question.
Earlier this month a bill was moved in the house of representative of the US Congress that seeks to declare Pakistan ‘state sponsor of terrorism’.
Asked about the new US president, Chaudhry said: “If you want to know Donald Trump’s views about Pakistan, then you should read the conversation he had with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif [soon after his ascension to the White House].”
Delhi continues to harp on terror mantra
Replying to a question about the house arrest of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, he said: “We don’t want to send any negative message from Pakistan to the international community.”
“Our stance is very clear: we want to have peaceful and friendly relations with India based on mutual respect,” he added.
However, he regretted that whenever the two countries moved to improve relations through dialogue, terrorists carry out an attack. “As a result, New Delhi suspends which only encourages terrorists.”
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