Islamabad has done its ‘best’ to combat terror: China defends all-weather ally Pakistan

China today defended its all-weather ally Pakistan, saying Islamabad has done its “best” to combat terrorism and some countries need to give it “full credit” for that, days after Beijing backed the BRICS’s declaration which named Pakistan-based terror groups like LeT and JeM for the first time.

“Pakistan is a good brother and iron friend of China. No one knows Pakistan and understands Pakistan better than China,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said while addressing a joint press conference with Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif here.

Asif is visiting China after China backed a tough resolution on terrorism at the just concluded BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) summit in Xiamen.

The resolution expressed concern over violence caused by terrorist groups including the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) and Haqqani network.

The BRICS indictment also followed a scathing criticism of Pakistan over terrorism related issued by US President Donald Trump in his South Asia and Afghanistan policy.

Ahead of his visit Asif for the first time admitted Pakistan needed to rein in terror outfits to avoid “embarrassment” on the global stage.

Avoiding any direct references to BRICS declaration, Wang said terrorism was a global issue and requires concerted efforts from all countries.

“Instead of blaming …read more