Date: May 11, 2017
Location: CTD Police Lines, Karachi
Remarks as prepared.
Inspector General Sindh, A. D. Khawaja, and Additional Inspector General for the Counter Terrorism Department, Dr. Sanaullah Abbasi, thank you for hosting us today.
Police are on the front lines of Pakistan’s efforts to combat violent extremism, expand access to justice, and enforce the rule of law.
The courageous Sindh Police have paid a terrible price at the hands of terrorists and violent extremists. Terrorists targeted the Sindh Police in the cowardly attack of 2010 because they feared the work of your excellent counter terrorism investigators. Many lives were lost that day and I extend my condolences to the families of those brave officers still living with their loss.
Today we mark the resolve of Pakistan and the United States to overcome acts of terrorism as we inaugurate this new Counter Terrorism Department building. We are proud to have contributed to the new facility, that will support the Sindh Police counter terrorism efforts.
The United States does so through the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Together we support the mission of the Sindh Police to protect lives through strong action against terrorism and crime with modern policing and community engagement.
We recognize the efforts of the Sindh Police to enhance the professionalism of the Counter Terrorism Department. We see the establishment of the Counter Terrorism Department police stations in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sukkur, and the founding of a school of counter terrorism in Razakabad as just a few prominent examples. Your work to modernize training and develop closer community relations reflects your vision for a peaceful and safer Sindh, and demonstrates a real commitment.
We commend your efforts to enhance security and promote prosperity by de-politicizing the police, recruiting on merit, training to the highest standards, conducting community outreach, and defending human rights.
The Pakistani-American relationship is founded on a mutual commitment to our many shared interests: peace and democracy, stability and security, growth, and prosperity. Terrorists attempt to undermine the very foundations of our democracies: rule of law, human rights and dignity, and justice. Both in the United States and Pakistan, we depend on our police to protect our people, and we will continue to support you and stand together with the people of Pakistan in the fight against terrorism.
