US and Pakistan have shared interests in combating threats to regional security, State Department spokesman says
- The United States also helps ensure the safety and security of the Pakistani people.
- No country should have to suffer such an act of terrorism, Miller said.
- The government will conduct “intelligence-based operations only” against terrorists.
The US State Department on Wednesday said Washington supports Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts after the Federal Cabinet approved Operation Azm-e-Isteekam.
According to sources, Prime Minister Sharif assured that civilians would not be inconvenienced and that “only intelligence activities will be carried out against terrorists.”
Asked about the new operation and the U.S. response to its announcement, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said: “We support Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism and ensure the safety and security of its people in a manner that promotes the rule of law and the protection of human rights.”
Washington’s cooperation with Pakistan on security issues also includes high-level counterterrorism dialogue, including funding for robust counterterrorism capacity-building programs and support for a range of military engagements between the U.S. and Pakistan, he added at the news conference.
“The Pakistani people have suffered greatly from these terrorist attacks. No country should have to suffer such acts of terrorism,” he said, adding that the United States and Pakistan have a shared interest in combating threats to regional security.
The decision regarding the operation came after the Supreme Committee approved a military operation last Saturday that reinvigorated and revitalized the country’s counter-terrorism operations to intensify attacks on militants targeting Pakistan.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said the new counter-terrorism initiative has been approved with the consent of all stakeholders, including the four provinces as well as Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
However, opposition parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamiat-e-Ulama Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and Awami National Party (ANP) have expressed concern over the military operation and maintained that a parliamentary confidence must be taken before taking such a decision.
Mob violence
Miller was also asked about the recent spate of religiously motivated mob violence and attacks across the country and how concerned Washington is about the rise in such incidents.
“As we have said before, we are always concerned about incidents of religiously motivated violence. Violence or threats of violence against others are never acceptable expressions. We oppose blasphemy laws around the world, including in Pakistan,” Miller said.
He added that such actions endanger the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of religion or belief.
The spokesman asserted that the United States continues to urge Pakistani authorities to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all.
“Both. We have made that clear publicly and privately. This includes freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom of association and the right to peaceful assembly,” he said.
Asked about raising the issue with authorities in Islamabad regarding Pakistan’s inclusion on the “countries of particular concern” list, Miller said Washington regularly consults with its Pakistani counterparts on human rights issues, including religious freedom and the treatment of religious minorities.
“Not only have we designated Pakistan as a country of particular concern, but we also make this clear in the State Department’s annual International Religious Freedom Report and country reports on human rights practices.”
