Pakistan and the United States on Tuesday held first round of fourth Pak-US ministerial-level strategic dialogue on Law Enforcement and Counter Terrorism with a pledge to improve co-operation for curbing production and use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and also to continue the important work of the strategic dialogue.
In the strategic dialogue of Pakistan-US Law Enforcement and Counter Terrorism Working Group, Pakistan delegation was led by Interior Minister Rehman Malik while the US team was led William Brownfield, United States Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement of the Department of State.
"The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of both governments to continue the important work of the Pakistan - US Strategic Dialogue and to strengthen both governments' co-operation on law enforcement and counterterrorism issues," said a joint statement issued after the meeting.
Interior Minister Senator Rehman Malik and Assistant Secretary Brownfield discussed the tragic impact of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on both law enforcement personnel and civilians in Pakistan, and across the border in Afghanistan. The death of over 500 Pakistani civilians from IEDs since the beginning of the calendar year 2011 called for the need for urgent action to combat the threat. Noting that suicide bombings and IED attacks have become unacceptable and too frequent occurrence in Pakistan, both governments pledged to improve co-operation on stopping these vicious cowardly attacks by the enemies of humanity.
"The United States appreciated the enduring commitment and support of Pakistan to fight extremists and recognised the extreme sacrifice of Pakistan's law enforcement and military personnel," the joint statement added. Assistant Secretary Brownfield paid tribute to the martyred police officers by laying a wreath at the Police Martyrs Memorial which recognises the 1400 law enforcement officers who laid down their lives in the fight against terrorism.
The two sides also exchanged ideas as to how to improve the prosecution for illegal shipments of IED precursors and terrorism cases, including strengthening the legislative framework for such cases. The two parties also discussed the challenges and progress made in Pakistan's efforts to counter the illicit trafficking of drugs.
The United States agreed to assist Pakistan to ensure that Pakistan's law enforcement officers are adequately equipped to combat the threat posed by terrorists and ensure the protection of the people of Pakistan. The two sides agreed to continue these discussions and further enhance co-operation in the field of counterterrorism.
They discussed possible strategies to curb and monitor the use and distribution of IEDs and agreed that increased co-ordination and information sharing between Pakistan and Afghanistan's border and LEAs was vital to achieve success in the efforts. Both sides underscored that as Pakistan and the US have common interests and the strategic dialogue was a right step to benefit each other in different areas.
Addressing a joint news conference, Malik said practical measures were being adopted with the support of the US to control IEDs that caused killing of thousands of human lives, adding it was needed to snatch lethal weapons from the possession of terrorists to ensure peace in the country and the region.
It was also decided to set up an academy to train explosive experts in order to deal with the matter in a more holistic manner. Malik said rigorous measures would be taken in co-operation with the international community to curb the use of improvised explosive devices and also urged the world community to provide latest appliance and help build capacity of law enforcement agencies to deal with the matter.
He said Pakistan has banned export of fertiliser to Afghanistan, which he said was the major ingredient used in making IEDs. He said border between Pakistan and Afghanistan was a major concern, adding that terrorists were attacking the country's security forces and mainland through the IEDs.
The Interior Minister said that around 11,024 people died and 25,291 were injured in IEDs related incidents while 1972 buildings, 79 bridges, 360 electric poles and 231 railway tracks were also destroyed in sabotage activities across the country by using the lethal weapons.
He highlighted that foreign elements were behind terrorist activities in Pakistan with funding provided mainly from drug money. He said majority of terrorist attacks have been conducted in the bordering area along Afghanistan, adding that there were confirmed border violations from the Afghan side and the issue was also taken up with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Malik said during next two weeks he would visit Kabul or his Afghan counterpart would visit Islamabad to discuss measures to stop such matters, adding that Pakistan was committed to continue fight terrorism in collaboration with US.
He said the government was going to make a law to curb IEDs besides a forum comprising members from LEAs and army would also be formed. To a question regarding delay in issuing Pakistan's visa to some US citizens, the Interior Minister said there were certain reports and there might be some procedural hitches but, he added that there was no refusal, adding that the law applicable to citizens to other countries was also applicable for the US.
Brownfield, while commenting on the issue said Pakistan was a sovereign and independent country and has its own laws and no country in the world can dictate Pakistan. He said the US appreciates the enduring commitment and support of Pakistan in fighting extremists and will extend all-out support to combat the threat posed by the IEDs.
He said the key agenda of the strategic dialogue was to save lives of people around the world, especially Pakistani, Afghani and American lives. He said they also discussed ways and means to curb the use of IEDs, besides highlighting other bilateral issues. Brownfield said under the new strategy announced by Obama administration, both sides were set to discuss matters related to enhancing professional capabilities of the LEAs.
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