US backs Pakistan’s new anti-terror drive

Official says Washington and Islamabad shared common interest in tackling threats in region

The US State Department on Wednesday said Washington had a shared interest with Pakistan in combating threats to regional security, acknowledging the sacrifices made by the country’s people in terrorist attacks.

“Pakistani people have suffered tremendously from terrorist attacks. No country should have to suffer such acts of terror,” US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller noted during his press briefing.

On Saturday, the Pakistani government launched a fresh initiative -- originally titled ‘Operation Azm-e-Istehkam” but rebranded as ‘Vision Azm-e-Istehkam’ following the opposition’s backlash -- to counter the fresh wave of terrorism in the country as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sought a collective and unified approach to deal with the menace.

The new drive was approved during a meeting of the Apex Committee of National Action Plan with the consensus of all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Responding to a query about the initiative, the US State Department spokesperson said Washington backed Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism and ensure the safety and security of its citizens in a manner that promoted the rule of law as well as the protection of human rights.

Miller explained that the US’ partnership with Pakistan on security issues included high-level counter-terrorism dialogue, funding robust capacity-building programmes to tackle this threat, and supporting a series of Washington-Islamabad military-to-military engagements.

Speaking on the lynching of a man in Swat over allegations of committing blasphemy, the US State Department spokesperson said the continued incidents as well as the reports of systematic and ongoing violations were the reasons for Pakistan’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern.

“We share our condolences to the family of the victim and we wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured in the mob violence.”

Miller said violence or its threat was never an acceptable form of expression.

“We oppose blasphemy laws everywhere in the world… because they jeopardise the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of religion or belief.”

He urged the Pakistani authorities to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all.

“This includes freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom of association, and the right to peaceful assembly.”

Miller elaborated that the US State Department regularly engaged with its Pakistani counterparts on the issues of human rights, including religious freedom and the treatment of religious minorities.