Militant groups stealing Pakistan’s future, says Kerry

Washington, March 1 (IANS) Militant groups like Haqqani Network, Jaish-e-Mohammad are steeling the sovereignty and the future of Pakistan, US Secretary of State John Kerry said in Washington while reminding Islamabad of its commitment that it would not differentiate between terror groups.

“Groups like the Haqqani network or Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, all of these groups are literally stealing sovereignty of the nation. And they are stealing the future of the nation. It is important for us to stand up to them,” Kerry was quoted by Dawn News.

“We welcome Pakistan’s commitment not to differentiate between terrorist groups... Groups like the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba seek to undermine Pakistan’s efforts to foster strong, positive relationship with its neighbours,” he said.

Instead of asking Pakistan to do more, Sec­retary Kerry said: “We recognise that every country can do more to intensify, to destroy and defeat violent radical extremists.”

Pakistan Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz noted: “Regrettably there is tendency to blame Pakistan in a simplistic fashion for most of these challenges. We are blamed to be pursuing a duplicitous policy.”

“Who would like to set one’s neighbour on fire with the hope to save one’s own backyard?” he asked.