ISLAMABAD - A former top Pakistani envoy has said Pakistan must shut down terrorism or get globally isolated, a call which comes amid growing criticisms against the country for allowing the militant groups to operate using its soil.
In an interview with First Post, the former Pakistani Ambassador to US, Hussain Haqqani, said “Terrorism has to be shut down. Pakistan must understand that continued support or even tolerance for jihadis will result in their international isolation.”
He was reponding a question regarding the alleged sponsorship of terrorism by Pakistan against India.
Haqqani further added “Pakistan can hold up regional integration only up to a point, irritation with this attitude of Pakistan will see it lose friends both in the region and outside.”
“It is a matter of time before folks in Islamabad wake up and ask themselves a question whether it is worth to lose the advantage of having many friends because rest of the friend sees India differently,” Haqqani added.
The remarks by Haqqani come as the Afghan officials have long been criticizing Pakistan for the allowing the Afghan Taliban and the notorious Haqqani terrorist network to use its soil for planning and coordinating attacks in Afghanistan.
A number of the US lawmakers also criticized Pakistan for not doing enough to eliminate the terrorists safe havens in the country and refused to fund the purchase f F-16 fighter jets for the Pakistani air force.(KP)