June 05, 2015
News
Pakistan, US critical partners in fighting terrorism: Aizaz
APPWASHINGTON – Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary said on Thursday that Pakistan and the US have strong convergences in fighting terrorism and working together to stop the spread of violent extremism espoused by the Islamic State.
He said that stability in Afghanistan was in the mutual interest of the two countries. Speaking at an event organized by the Atlantic Council, he said that the benefits accruing from a stable and secure region benefit the US as much as they will benefit Pakistan.
“We are now on a stable and growing trajectory with the US. In our view, Pakistan and the US have always benefited when they work together,” the secretary said. Referring to the ongoing military operations in the tribal areas against extremists, he said that the operation has entered a critical phase since last year.
He added that the operation Zarb-e-Azb was aimed at clearing all territory in Pakistan from elements that aim to terrorize Pakistan or its neighbours. “Our latest operations in North Waziristan and Khyber agencies have been a big success and nearly 90% of the areas have been cleared,” he said and added that the core of infamous the Taliban has been dismantled with its leadership on the run in Afghanistan.
Some remaining high profile leaders of al-Qaeda were killed or captured in the last one year, the secretary said. He informed that the operations were now underway to clearing the remaining and geographically most treacherous territory. Moreover, he said that law enforcement agencies have succeeded in dismantling many sleeper cells and arrested members of banned organisations involved in attacking minorities and civil society.
He described the US as a critical partner and said there were strong and enduring bases for this partnership to continue in the future. The secretary thanked the US support to Pakistan in broad range of areas. For many years, he added that the US Congress has been supportive of building Pakistan's capacity and helping us overcome challenges.
The secretary said that the US has helped add over 1,400 Megawatt to our electricity grid, the USAID is supporting one of the largest Full Bright scholarship programme for Pakistan, especially for women. He said that the US's assistance in building infrastructure in remote areas such as FATA will leave an enduring impact in stimulating economic development in an area that had been infested with extremist ideologies for decades.
Above all, he added that the recent successes that we have achieved in our counter-insurgency operations in FATA were made possible by the critical capabilities that US have helped us put in place. He thanked the US Congress and the American people for the support being extended to Pakistan.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk