After BRICS jointly condemns JeM, LeT, Pakistan FM Khwaja Asif admits Islamabad's need to crack down on terrorists: T&C apply

Just days after the BRICS nations came together and named terror groups such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) which operate from Pakistani soil in a joint declaration , foreign minister Khawaja Asif acknowledged that his country needs to rein in terror outfits to avoid “embarrassment” on the global stage, according to several media reports. “We need to tell our friends that we have improved our house. We need to bring our house in order to prevent facing embarrassment on the international level,” Asif reportedly told Geo News. Adjust to ‘seismic geopolitical shift’ The geopolitical situation in the world is undergoing a “seismic shift” and Pakistan has to review it pragmatically and quickly adjust its direction, Asif conceded. Speaking after the conclusion of a three-day meeting of the Pakistani envoys in Islamabad, Asif referred to the “altering” regional and international situation, saying the geopolitical changes taking place in the world were unprecedented. “Perhaps, such changes were not even witnessed after the World War II. New allignments have been made, strategic policies are dictating nations’ interests,” he said. “We are undergoing a seismic shift,” Asif said, adding that Pakistan has to review these situations pragmatically and take the right direction. “We have to quickly adjust our direction,” he asserted. [caption id=“attachment_4018055” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Pakistan foreign minister Khawaja Asif. Reuters[/caption] ‘Can’t test our friends any more’ Hindustan Times reported that Asif further said that Pakistan could no longer afford to “test” its friends such as China on the issue of counter-terrorism as the world had changed drastically.  “We must make a clean break from our past,” he added, alluding to the militant outfits which gained influence after Pakistan joined American-led efforts to fight Soviet troops in Afghanistan in the 1980s, the report quoted Asif as saying. ‘We need to accept historical facts’ Speaking on the US’ assertions on alleged Pakistani role in terrorism in Afghanistan, Asif said that there is a 50 to 60-year-long history behind the Washington policy and the regional situation “which is gradually unfolding”. “In my personal view, (in the course of this history), we have only incurred losses and haven’t gained much,” he said “We don’t have a lot of time — the developing regional situations do not allow us to take our time,” the minister reiterated, stressing on the urgency of the matter. Asif said that in the coming days “there will be a policy shift in the country.” “I am not making any political statement… we cannot afford to shut our eyes on activities of these organisations in our country. If we continue to do that we will always face such embarrassments,” he added, according to a report in The Times of India . “We’ve no stakes involved but are only carrying the baggage of our past follies. We cannot correct ourselves as long as we do not accept historical facts,” he said, according to the report. The timing of Asif’s remarks is instructive, coming on the eve of his trip to Beijing. Asif is expected to review bilateral relations and attempt to drum up support for Pakistan, which is facing ever increasing pressure to act against terrorist organisations. Yes, but… However, Asif was sure to lace his comments with caveats.  The Indian Express reported that Asif insisted that the BRICS declaration could not be considered China’s official stance, as China was merely one of the countries who made up the group. He also reiterated that Pakistan will not accept being scapegoated for the sake of failures of others in the region. The inclusion of these terror outfits is considered a setback to Pakistan, as Beijing, considered to be an ‘all-weather’ friend, had previously succeeded in blocking the names of these outfits at last year’s summit, according to The Indian Express report. The minister also rejected the idea that terrorism was being carried out from Pakistani soil. “We will have to convince the world that Pakistan has nothing to do with the terror,” he added. Asif said Pakistan was the only country in the world which has achieved resounding successes in the war against terrorism. “No one can fight this war better than us. We are the only country in the world which is winning the war on terror, and we will continue winning it,” he added. He said that Pakistan’s dependency on US has been greatly reduced. He, however, said Pakistan’s relationship with the US has not ended and future communications will be made keeping in view Pakistan’s interests. “Pakistan will cooperate with countries who recognise its sacrifices,” the minister said. With inputs from PTI