US lauds Pakistan’s counter-terror gains

Move comes as two pro-India US lawmakers table bill to declare Pakistan a sponsor of terrorism

ISLAMABAD: The United States on Wednesday recognised Pakistan’s progress in disrupting militant networks in its tribal areas even as two pro-India US lawmakers moved a resolution in Congress to declare Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism.

The acknowledgement of Pakistan’s progress in the anti-terror fight war came during the meeting of US-Pakistan Defense Consultative Group (DCG) held at the defence ministry in Rawalpindi.



Pakistan’s delegation was led by Defense Secretary Lt-Gen (retd) Zamirul Hassan Shah and the US delegation was led by Ambassador David B Shear, Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.

A joint statement issued after the meeting said “US reiterates its support for the armed forces of Pakistan in their ongoing operations in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), including North Waziristan, and recognises the progress made in disrupting militant networks that had helped enhance security on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.” The US also acknowledged the progress made by Pakistan’s Armed Forces in Operation Zarb-e-Azb.

The delegates recognised the centrality of the US-Pakistan bilateral security partnership to their overall bilateral relationship and acknowledged that continued cooperation remains vital to promoting peace, security and stability in the region and beyond.

They expressed satisfaction that the bilateral security partnership had played a critical role in degrading al Qaida and other violent extremists in the region. The US officials also recognised the sacrifices of Pakistan’s security forces in securing areas along the Pakistan Afghanistan border.

“Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to take action against all terrorists and violent extremists without discrimination,” the joint statement said.

The Pakistani side also expressed its support and desire for stability in Afghanistan, which remains a high priority objective for Pakistan as well.

The US also appreciated significant contributions made by the armed forces of Pakistan in promoting maritime security in the North Arabian Sea and Horn of Africa through its consistent participation in the US–led Combined Maritime Forces, and recognised the Pakistan Navy for assuming command of Combined Task Force-150 operations.

Continuing support for bilateral and regional exercises, security assistance, operational re-imbursements and stability activities also came under discussion during the meeting. The US delegation noted Pakistan’s positive efforts to counter threats from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). To bolster this cooperation, both sides agreed to continue working together to build counter–IED capacity.

The delegation reaffirmed that the DCG remains an invaluable forum to discuss strategic defense policy issues and exchange views on shared security concerns. They committed to work towards deepening their strong and longstanding defense partnership.



Meanwhile, US congressmen Ted Poe and Dana Rohrabacher moved the Pakistan State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation Act in Congress in Congress on Wednesday. In a statement posted on his website, Poe demanded US President Barack Obama issue a report “within 90 days of passage detailing whether or not Pakistan has provided support for international terrorism.”

“Thirty days after that, the secretary of state must issue a follow-up report containing either a determination that Pakistan is a state sponsor of terrorism or a detailed justification as to why Pakistan does not meet the legal criteria for designation,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 22^nd, 2016.