US Assistant Secretary of State for practical way to meet challenges: Pakistan's openness lauded

US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, Michael Posner has appreciated Pakistan for its openness and desire to move forward in a practical way to address medium and long-term challenges facing the country.
He was participating in a Radio Roundtable discussion hosted by Director-General Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Murtaza Solangi on Saturday. Posner renewed commitment of the United States to work with Pakistan Government in addressing these issues especially strengthening of security legislation, rule of law, capacity building of the judicial system and legal institutions.
He said Pakistani judicial system had a fantastic history and building its capacity nation wide would help meet these challenges. He said there were challenges but there were also opportunities for Pakistan to make progress in different spheres of life.
Replying to a question he said the United States regards its partnership with Pakistan as extremely important and was committed to a long-term ally. He said there were universal human rights standards and if applied and practiced those could help provide greater stability and opportunities to people to exploit their potential.
Michael Posner said the United States would be working with Pakistan in a co-operative manner for the purpose. Posner, however, pointed out that it was difficult to impose human rights agenda on another country as the change occurred from within the country.
He said the US was ready to extend co-operation in ensuring sustainable democracy, empowerment of women, rule of law, transparency and accountability but it had to be recognised that those issues were for Government of Pakistan and its people to decide.
In response to repeated questions whether drone attacks constitute human rights, the US Assistant Secretary of State said he would not comment on military tactics or operations. However, he said in a broader sense there was government-wide commitment in the US that international standards in human rights should be applied across the board.
Asked why the US was applying different standards to Occupied Kashmir and Palestine, the US official said Washington encouraged Pakistan and India to work together to discuss and resolve the issue. The US would support the two countries in their efforts to talk to each other. He said there had to be a serious review of the allegations of human rights violations of Palestinians through a credible and accountable mechanism.
To a question about Blasphemy Law in Pakistan, he said it was critical that no law was applied in a discriminatory way or used to settle personal dispute or vendetta. He said it was for Pakistan to debate and decide about the issue. He also condoled with the family of late Governor Punjab Salman Taseer.
Asked about delay in realisation of the plan about Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs), he said there were challenges and an internal debate was continuing in the US. At the same time, the US is exploring ways and means to help Pakistan increase economic opportunities for its people.
To another question, he said the US was working with the Afghan Government to ensure long-term stability and security. It is in the process of training, support and building capacity of its forces so that the US forces can begin their withdrawal.