A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson has urged the United States to act ‘cautiously’ on the issue of blacklisting Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and avoid bypassing the relevant committee of the UN Security Council, saying it would only complicate the issue.
Speaking during a press briefing, Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said the US move was not in line with the resolution of the issue through dialogue and negotiations.
The statement comes after US bypassed the 1267 Sanctions Committee — where an earlier move to blacklist Azhar had stalled recently — and directly filed a draft resolution with the UNSC to designate the JeM leader.
He remarked that this action had undermined the authority of the sanctions committee as the main anti-terrorism body of the UNSC. “Such an act will do nothing to facilitate a solution through consultation and will only lead to further complication of the issue,” Geng added.
The spokesperson urged the US to “exercise prudence and refrain from forceful actions” to have the resolution passed.
Explaining Beijing’s position on the issue, he said since the Chinese side needed more time to conduct a “comprehensive and thorough assessment”, it had put a technical hold on the listing of Azhar on March 13.
Pakistan on Thursday said that the Indian dossier regarding the Pulwama attack has no mention of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar.
JeM had claimed the responsibility of the February 14 attack in Kashmir’s Pulwama which 49 CRPF personnel were killed.
Earlier, it was reported that Pakistan while rejecting the Indian dossier regarding the Pulwama attack said the initial information shared by that country regarding the alleged involvement of Pakistan-based elements in the attack could not substantiate the imputation, and offered to examine any fresh proof — whenever it is available.
