Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States has asked Washington to provide small arms and modern equipment to support the newly approved counter-terrorism mission, Operation Azmi-Istekam.
Earlier this month, Pakistan’s cash-strapped federal government gave the go-ahead for a revitalized national counterterrorism campaign, but Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has already made clear that the effort will not be a large-scale military operation and will not displace local residents. dawn report.
“Pakistan launched Azm-i-Istekam […] “We need sophisticated small arms and communications equipment to counter and dismantle terrorist organizations,” Khan told a group of U.S. policymakers, academics, intellectuals and business leaders at the Wilson Center think tank in Washington earlier this week.
During a question-and-answer session that followed, he explained that the operation has three components: doctrinal, social and operational, and that the Pakistani government has already begun work on the first two phases, with the third expected to be implemented soon.
Pakistan’s request to the United States
Khan stressed that Pakistan and the US should maintain strong security ties and strengthen intelligence cooperation, “which is critical to regional security and to counter the growing threat of terrorism that threatens the interests of the US and its allies,” he added.
The Pakistani ambassador asserted that the prospects for Pakistan-US relations are bright in this regard. “Our shared values, intertwined security and economic interests and the aspirations of our peoples strengthen our ties,” he asserted.
Khan also called on the United States to cooperate with Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in Kabul and to work together on counter-terrorism and the rights of Afghan women and girls.
“In this era of renewed strategic competition, the United States and Pakistan should build on their existing partnership and explore new horizons to establish areas of mutual interest,” Masood Khan said.
“We should not build a relationship based on mismatched expectations. While we seek to strengthen security and economic cooperation, our relationship must be rooted in reality. Secondly, we should not hold the entire relationship hostage on one or two issues,” he concluded.
The US State Department has expressed support, but the issue of arms supplies remains unresolved.
Earlier this week, the US State Department voiced support for Pakistan’s operations, saying no country should face the type of terror attacks Pakistan has seen in recent years. “We support Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism and ensure the safety and security of its people in a way that promotes the rule of law and the protection of human rights,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said while answering questions at a press conference.
“The Pakistani people have suffered greatly from these terrorist attacks. No country should have to suffer such acts of terror,” he added. But the support came with caution.
Miller spoke of the lynching of a man in Madyan for allegedly desecrating the Quran, and said the country should be concerned about human rights violations in the country.
“Violence or threats of violence against others are never an acceptable form of expression and we oppose blasphemy laws around the world. […] “This is because it endangers the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of religion or belief,” a US official said.
“We continue to urge the Pakistani authorities to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people, including freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom of association and the right to peaceful assembly,” he added.
With input from the agency.
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