News
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Pakistan, US discuss steps to combat terrorism
* Working group meeting discusses ways to increase law enforcement cooperation, strengthen border management
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the US agreed to discuss forming a working group to strengthen border management to allow for an effective flow of legal goods and services but at the same time stopping terrorists’ transit and the smuggling of contraband, the US embassy said on Friday.
In the final working group meeting of the Pak-US strategic dialogue on counterterrorism, officials from both countries met to discuss ways to increase law enforcement cooperation and to combat terrorism. This was the first time this group met since US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi launched the US-Pakistan strategic dialogue in Washington DC in March.
The Pakistan side was led by Interior Minister Rehman Malik and the US side was co-chaired by US Department of State Coordinator for Counterterrorism Ambassador Daniel Benjamin and US Department of Justice Deputy Assistant Attorney General Bruce Swartz.
Both sides were assisted by senior officials from relevant departments and ministries.
The group reviewed mechanisms to detect and deter financing of terrorist groups and discussed ways to increase cooperation and information-sharing on terror financiers. Both sides reaffirmed their unified commitment to strengthen engagement in combating the common enemy.
The US delegation acknowledged the challenges facing Pakistan and praised the government’s efforts in addressing the threat.
The US officials recognised the courage and extraordinary sacrifices made by Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies and the public in the fight against terrorism. The Pakistani side also praised the US support and assistance provided to Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies in support of their counterterrorism efforts. The delegates discussed the terrorist threat and explored ways to increase law enforcement cooperation and civilian capacity to counter those threats. Both groups shared insight into the challenges and best practices in combating terrorist groups and their support networks.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk