Counter-terrorism approach should evolve in line with threat: US official

ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan grapples with an increase in militant attacks seemingly emanating from across the border, a top White House National Security official has called the threat “more ideologically diverse and geographically diffuse”, underscoring the need for keeping pace with the threat level.

“More broadly, today’s terrorist threat is more ideologically diverse and geographically diffuse than that of two decades ago. Al-Qaeda, ISIS and associated forces have expanded from Afghanistan and the Middle East into Africa, the rest of South Asia, and Southeast Asia. As the threat evolves, so too must our counter-terrorism approach,” Senior Director for South Asia, National Security Council, Eileen Laubacher, told Dawn during her recent visit to Pakistan.

She said around the world, the US was pursuing opportunities to increase cooperation and support to trusted partners, including Pakistan, shifting from a strategy that is “US-led, partner-enabled” to one that is “partner-led, US-enabled”.

This includes building or expanding systems to prevent, detect and respond to threats as they develop by strengthening partners’ law enforcement and judicial systems, improving threat information sharing, enhancing border security and countering terrorist financing, Ms Laubacher said, adding that, “we are providing millions of dollars in life-saving equipment to protect the lives of Pakistani law enforcement officers, replacing flood-damaged police stations with state-of-the-art facilities, and providing training for all facets of the justice system to holistically address the threat of terrorism”.

Says US bilateral ties with Pakistan, India do not come at each other’s expense

She also commended the bravery of Pakistan’s security forces in confronting these threats and expressed condolences to the families of those who have laid down their lives to defend Pakistan and make the entire region safer.

She noted that the Pakistan-US Counterterrorism Dialogue between both countries on March 6 was a great success and reinforced a strong bilateral security relationship.

When asked in the context of United States strengthening ties with India and the regional implications of its military interest in South Asia, the senior director said the United States valued its broad and longstanding cooperation with Pakistan and had always viewed a strong, prosperous and democratic Pakistan as critical to US interests.

“Last year we celebrated the 75th anniversary of US-Pakistan bilateral relations. Our relationship has endured because it was built on shared interests, a mutual desire for increased economic, investment and trade cooperation that will benefit both of our countries and the region,” she said.

“The bilateral relationships we have with both Pakistan and India do not come at the expense of the other,” Eileen Laubacher said.

While noting that climate challenges were also security challenges, she said through the US-Pakistan “Green Alliance” framework, America was working to address shared climate and environmental challenges, promote cooperation in agriculture, clean energy and water management, strengthen climate resilience and foster inclusive economic growth.

“These issues are even more critical in the aftermath of the devastating 2022 floods. The United States stepped up, pledging over $215 million to support the Pakistani people’s recovery and resilience to future disaster,” she added.

About approval by the Biden administration last year of a $450 million F-16 fighter jet fleet sustainment programme for Pakistan, the US official said the United States valued its security partnership with Pakistan. “We continue to participate in bilateral exercises with the Pakistani military, including the Falcon Talon air exercise in March and the Inspired Union naval exercise in April. Eight US Navy ships have visited Pakistan over the past nine months, reflecting the continued strong relationship and cooperation between the Pakistani and US navies,” Ms Laubacher said.

“Pakistan’s F-16 programme is an important part of the broader United States-Pakistan bilateral relationship. The case will sustain Pakistan’s capability to meet current and future threats by maintaining its current F-16 fleet. It does not provide any new capabilities or munitions,” she said.

She welcomed the recent progress made between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and urged Pakistan to continue working with the lender toward macroeconomic reforms and a sustainable economic recovery.

She said the United States had long been a leading investor in Pakistan and Pakistan’s largest export market. We do over $9 billion annually in bilateral trade, and in the past year, American investment in Pakistan went up by 50pc.

She emphasised that Pak-US economic, people-to-people, health, agriculture and innovation partnerships had thrived for decades and would continue to grow.