January 12, 2015
U.S. Ambassador-at-Large and Coordinator for Counterterrorism Tina Kaidanow, Interior Secretary Shahid Khan, and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry convened the latest round of the U.S.-Pakistan Law Enforcement and Counterterrorism Working Group today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad. The group discussed various U.S.-Pakistan areas of cooperation, including counterterrorism, rule of law, counter-narcotics, and border management. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Dan Feldman, National Security Council Senior Director Jeff Eggers, Ambassador Richard Olson and other senior U.S. officials participated in the working group.
Ambassador Kaidanow emphasized that, “the United States stands with Pakistan against the violence and criminality of groups that attack innocent school children, target civilians and law enforcement personnel, and undermine the stability and prosperity of Pakistan. We hope to share our mutual experience in ensuring the safety and security of our citizens, strengthening and protecting our borders, and building a secure future for our people.”
The working group is an important part of the U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue. This is the fourth time the group has met since its inception in March 2010. In this meeting, the U.S. and Pakistani delegations explored ways to intensify the fight against terrorism and violent extremism and Pakistani officials outlined for the U.S. delegation the provisions of the recently created National Action Plan on terrorism. Ambassador Kaidanow highlighted areas in which U.S. assistance can be used to support Pakistan’s effective implementation of the plan. The group also discussed collaborative means to combat terrorist financing and disrupt the illicit networks that supply components for the creation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Pakistan and the region.
Ambassador Kaidanow and Interior Secretary Khan concluded by agreeing to further intensive discussions on law enforcement and counterterrorism throughout 2015. The U.S. affirmed continued U.S. support and assistance to strengthen the capacity of civilian agencies involved in counterterrorism efforts in Pakistan.
