William Todd has been nominated by Donald Trump as the subsequent US ambassador to Pakistan. (File)
Washington:
Pakistan should take sustained and irreversible motion in opposition to terrorism, and must show that it’s ready to reside as much as worldwide commitments on weapons of mass destruction, a US diplomat, nominated to be the subsequent envoy to Pakistan, instructed lawmakers on Tuesday and hoped that each Islamabad and New Delhi would take the mandatory steps to scale back tensions.
Throughout his affirmation listening to earlier than the Senate International Relations Committee, William Todd, who has been nominated by President Donald Trump as the subsequent US ambassador to Pakistan, instructed the lawmakers that peace in Afghanistan is in each the nations” greatest pursuits, and efficient US-Pakistani cooperation is crucial to realize that goal.
“When it comes to regional dynamics, though we have now a robust relationship with India, that doesn’t want to return on the expense of Pakistan. I imagine that below the suitable situations, we are able to have a robust relationship with each nations,” Mr Todd mentioned.
“Our hope is that each nations will take the mandatory steps to scale back tensions and as President Trump has supplied, we’re ready to facilitate dialogue if each side request it,” he mentioned.
“To really cut back regional tensions and rebuild a robust relationship with america, Pakistan should take sustained and irreversible motion in opposition to terrorism,” Todd asserted.
Senator Bob Menendez, Rating Member of the Senate International Relations Committee, mentioned he stays deeply involved concerning the prevalence of terrorist teams in Pakistan and their affect on the area.
“Progress has been made, however Pakistan should take additional motion to handle this insidious risk, particularly Lashkar-e-Toiba. For too lengthy, this group has been capable of function in numerous kinds through the years. If Pakistan desires us to take its counter-terrorism commitments severely, it should fully eradicate this group,” he mentioned.
“Whereas we hope for a ahead progress with Pakistan, we should be clear-eyed concerning the vital challenges within the relationship, together with the cussed presence of terrorist teams within the nation, tensions with India, remedy of spiritual minorities and issues about Pakistan”s rising nuclear stockpile,” Menendez mentioned.
Noting that Pakistan has suffered terribly itself by the hands of terrorists and has dedicated publicly to make sure that terrorists can not use Pakistani territory to function, Todd instructed the lawmakers that Islamabad has taken essential steps towards fulfilling that dedication, however must proceed with that work.
“If confirmed, I’ll work with Pakistan to advance our shared curiosity in eliminating terrorism from its territory and advancing safety within the area,” he mentioned.
If confirmed, Todd instructed the senators that he’ll actively interact Pakistan on these points in addition to strategic stability and non-proliferation, carrying a transparent message on the risk that nuclear weapons pose to the US, the area and “our allies and companions”.
“Pakistan must show that it’s ready to reside as much as worldwide commitments on weapons of mass destruction,” Todd mentioned.
Acknowledging that Pakistan performed a vital position in creating the situations that introduced Afghan leaders and the Taliban to the historic begin of the Afghan Peace Negotiations, he mentioned Islamabad has an much more essential position to play in supporting efforts towards a negotiated political settlement that ends 40 years of warfare.
“It is a second of alternative for Pakistan to proceed to forge a brand new and higher position within the area and if confirmed, will likely be one in all my highest priorities,” Todd mentioned.
Menendez additionally expressed issues concerning the plight of spiritual minorities within the nation. He referred to as upon the Pakistani authorities to respect the non secular rights of all within the nation.
Todd instructed the senators that his first purpose will likely be advancing human rights, significantly freedom of faith and expression. “I used to be shocked and heartbroken that US citizen Tahir Naseem was killed in a Pakistani courtroom through which he was dealing with an accusation of blasphemy.
“I grieve with the household of Naseem and if confirmed, will interact Pakistani authorities on full accountability for the perpetrators. I’m additionally involved concerning the growing restrictions on the civil society, together with the rising harassment and disappearances of journalists with out accountability, which undermines the train of the suitable of peaceable meeting and freedoms of expression and affiliation,” Todd mentioned
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