US acknowledges Pakistan's 'positive contributions' to Afghan peace

The United States has acknowledged Pakistan’s crucial role in the Afghan peace process, saying Islamabad encouraged the Afghan Taliban to reduce violence in Afghanistan.

“Pakistan did make positive contributions to the Afghanistan peace process, such as, encouraging Taliban reductions in violence,” the US Department of State said in its annual report – ‘Country Reports on Terrorism 2020’.

It said that the US government recognises Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan and broader regional security.

FATF

The US also acknowledged Pakistan’s “additional progress in 2020” to curb terror financing and money laundering in compliance with the action plan of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to get off the grey list.

In October, the FATF had refused to remove Pakistan from the grey list, saying Islamabad needed to meet the “strategically important” condition about nominating entities and individuals, who should be put on the UN list of terror outfits and persons.

Terrorism in Pakistan

The US also welcomed anti-terror efforts by the Pakistani military and security forces, saying in 2020 Pakistan restrained “India-focused militant groups from conducting attacks”.

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“Pakistani military and security forces undertook CT operations against groups that conducted attacks within Pakistan, such as, Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP), ISIS-K, and the Balochistan Liberation Army,” the report said.

Pakistan convicted Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed and four other senior LeT leaders in multiple terrorism financing cases, it said.

According to the report, “The Sindh High Court overturned the 2002 convictions of Omar Sheikh and three co-conspirators for the 2002 kidnapping and murder of US journalist Daniel Pearl on April 2 and ordered their release on December 24.”

Sheikh remained detained while provincial and federal officials’ appeals continued through the end of the year, it added.

About counter-terrorism operation, the report said, “The United States cooperates with Pakistan on counterterrorism operations, which has helped Pakistan reclaim parts of the country previously held by militant groups.”

WMDs and IAEA

It said Pakistan is committed to combating the trafficking of items that could contribute to the development of WMDs and their delivery systems. Pakistan was a constructive and active participant in International Atomic Energy Agency-hosted meetings and in the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, the report added.

Civilian assistance to Pakistan

The report noted that the US government’s security assistance to Pakistan remained suspended in 2020, but the US maintained a civilian assistance portfolio with Pakistan on a focused set of priorities.

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“Civilian assistance continued to prioritise civil society; people-to-people exchanges; stabilization and development on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border; trade and economic growth, including partnering with US businesses; law enforcement, counterterrorism — including countering terrorist financing and related anti-money laundering — and nonproliferation cooperation; and polio and other infectious diseases, including COVID-19,” it added.

“The emphasis on sustainable development and capacity-building, and on leveraging trade and private sector investment where possible, encourages partnership and a long-term positive impact for the Pakistani people,” it added.

“People-to-people exchanges, which largely shifted to virtual exchanges during COVID-19, help promote mutual understanding and bilateral ties.”

“The United States supported civilian law enforcement and the rule of law to help Pakistan disrupt transnational organised crime and terrorist networks and provide security and justice for Pakistani citizens,” it added.