Pakistan concerned over reports of Indian citizens joining al Qaeda

FO spokesperson says recent meetings with US officials were aimed at eradicating terrorism from Pakistan's soil

The Foreign Office has expressed serious concerns over reports of Indian nationals joining the al Qaeda terrorist organisation.

Speaking during the weekly media briefing on Friday, FO spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said that emergence of banned terror outfit Islamic State (IS), also known by its Arabic acronym Da’ish, in India was reflective of the fact that terrorism had no roots, Express News reported.

Pakistan was determined to eradicate terrorism from its soil and the recent meetings with United States (US) officials were also aimed at finding the common targets in this regard, he said, adding that continuation of such meetings indicated that those targets had not been achieved thus far.

Dr Faisal regretted the reports of Pakistani professionals being abducted in Afghanistan and forced to spy against their own country. “We are highlighting the issue of Afghan soil being used against Pakistan with the Afghanistan government,” he stated.



The FO spokesperson said Da’ish, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar among other terrorist groups had safe havens in Afghanistan. “Da’ish is a threat not only to Afghanistan but to Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran and Central Asian states among the entire region,” he said, adding that all countries in the region needed full cooperation to deal with the threat.

Commenting on India’s military aggression, Dr Faisal said that Indian army chief’s irresponsible and highly provocative statement represented the country’s war-mongering attitude.

Situation at the Line of Control (LoC) was deteriorating with the passage of each day as the Indian security forces have already breached the ceasefire agreement for over 100 times this year, said then FO spokesperson.



“These intentions by India are threatening the regional peace,” he added.

He said the Indian deputy high commissioner had also been summoned on recent ceasefire violations and martyrdom of Pakistani soldiers. The issue was also raised with Alice Wells, the US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary during her recent visit to Pakistan, he added.

Commenting over involvement of Chinese nationals in ATM scam, Dr Faisal said the investigation was underway. “However, the Chinese citizens can’t be banned to enter the country on the basis of a few unpleasant incidents,” he remarked.