PAKPAC supports US-Pakistan relationship outlined in President Obama’s new Afghanistan Strategy

Maryland Mar 30th 2009. President Obama emphasized a greater role for economic assistance for Pakistan as part of his new Afghanistan Strategy, and underscored the necessity of such help for Pakistan to the American citizens. The plan, formulated after consultation with countries in the region, NATO allies, donor countries and international organizations, has received strong support from leaders of Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Britain.

PAKPAC supports the thrust of the new initiative, which is in line with its and other Pakistani organizations’ message delivered to US elected leaders on Pakistan Advocacy day on Feb 26th. The plan still requires elaboration regarding the level and timing of the aid, its monitoring, the share allocated to counterinsurgency, and measures to be taken by the Government of Pakistan to ensure its maximum effectiveness so that aid dollars get fully invested in needed projects with minimal overhead.

The plan calls for the international community to recognize that instability in the region is an international security challenge, which warrants collective action focused on strengthening the economies and political institutions of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The plan is aimed at a long-term commitment for support to Pakistan and Afghanistan helping them build their institutional capacities, and an end of  terrorist activities by providing  access to basic social services, security, and the rule of law.

President Obama asked of Pakistan to demonstrate its commitment to rooting out violent extremists within its borders by fully supporting the fight against the terrorists. PAKPAC has frequently expressed concern about the rise in terrorist attacks and the casualties suffered mainly by innocent people and welcomes the creation of a National Counter-terrorism Authority in Pakistan to coordinate the struggle against terrorist activity on a national scale. PAKPAC urges the Government of Pakistan and its  agencies to work with National Counter-terrorism Authority in eliminating terrorists from Pakistan’s soil. PAKPAC would continue to educate US lawmakers how Pakistani’s suffer on a daily basis at the hands of extremists for their participation in the war on terror.

To support the new strategy, President Obama called on the congress to pass two bi-partisan bills; the Kerry - Lugar bill that authorizes the provision of $1.5 billion annually to Pakistan over the next five years – resources aimed at improving access to schools, roads, and hospitals; and Reconstruction Opportunity Zone bill to support the creation of  economic and industrial opportunity zones in the region bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan. In addition, President Obama called on Pakistan’s trading partners and international organizations, such as the IMF and the World Bank to step up their support for Pakistan’s economy. PAKPAC at its Advocacy day had requested the US lawmakers to double the economic assistance, and it will continue to push for that. Additionally PAKPAC will push for this assistance to be front loaded to have maximum effect as soon as possible.

Addressing the matter of regional stability, the plan calls for pursuing constructive diplomacy with both India and Pakistan to help them in resolving their long-standing issues. PAKPAC recommends that these diplomatic efforts should be an integral part of the current trilateral dialogue between United States, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

While President Obama confirmed that US has no intention of sending troops, including in hot pursuit, into Pakistan’s territory, as an indication of its recognition of Pakistan’s sovereignty, he did not mention ending future drone attacks within Pakistan territory, which PAKPAC believes are counter-productive in building support against the extremists.