ISLAMABAD: The United States has pledged ongoing support for Pakistan’s fight against cross-border infiltration and militancy in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, with a $250,000 program to boost Frontier Corps’ nighttime capabilities and $350,000 in safety equipment for counterterrorism efforts, a US diplomatic mission statement confirmed on Wednesday.
Pakistan has seen a surge in militancy, particularly in the KP region bordering Afghanistan, after the Afghan Taliban got back into power in August 2021. The violence further escalated after a fragile truce between the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an ally of the Afghan Taliban, and Islamabad collapsed in November last year.
Officials in Islamabad have consistently expressed concern over the militant network using Afghan soil to launch attacks in their country, citing safe havens in the neighboring state. The administration in Kabul, however, denies these claims.
“US Deputy Chief of Mission, Andrew Schofer, visited Peshawar on September 25-26 to reaffirm US commitment to border security and continued support for Pakistan in its fight against cross-border infiltration and militancy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” the statement said.
“During the visit, Schofer visited the Inspector General of Frontier Corps at the historic Fort Balahisar where he announced a new $250,000 program to enhance the Frontier Corps’ nighttime operational capabilities.”
The statement added that the US diplomat also held a meeting with Peshawar’s Inspector General of Police, Akhtar Hayat, and delivered $350,000 worth of safety and security equipment to enhance the safety and effectiveness of police forces conducting perilous counter-terrorism operations.
Earlier this year, the US said it was ready to “assist” Pakistan broadly against terrorism challenges while also acknowledging that the country had taken some important steps to counter militant groups in line with the completion of its Financial Action Task Force action plans.
At the same time, however, the US reiterated the importance of Pakistan continuing to take steps to permanently disband all militant groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and their various front organizations, assuring that it would raise this issue regularly with Pakistani officials and work together to counter mutual terrorist threats.
US commits $250,000 worth of aid, additional equipment for counterterrorism efforts in Pakistan’s northwest
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US commits $250,000 worth of aid, additional equipment for counterterrorism efforts in Pakistan’s northwest
- US announces new $250,000 program to enhance Frontier Corps’ nighttime operational capabilities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- It also provided $350,000 in security equipment for safer and more effective counter-terrorism operations in province
Curfew extended in Gilgit-Baltistan, probe ordered after deadly Khamenei protests
- At least 15 people were killed in clashes with law enforcement agencies over the weekend in Gilgit-Baltistan
- Government also announces a de-weaponization campaign, crackdown on hate speech and cybercrime in region
ISLAMABAD: The government in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region on Tuesday extended a curfew in Gilgit district and ordered a judicial probe into violent protests over the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes last week, an official said.
At least 15 people were killed in clashes with law enforcement agencies over the weekend in GB, where protesters torched and vandalized several buildings, including United Nations regional offices, an army-run school, software technology park and a local charity building.
The violence prompted regional authorities to impose curfew in Gilgit and Skardu districts on March 2-4 as officials urged people to stay indoors and cooperate with law enforcers, amid widespread anger in Pakistan, particularly among members of the Shiite minority, over Khamenei’s killing.
On Tuesday, the GB government convened to review the situation and announced the extension of curfew in Gilgit among a number of security measures as well as ordered the establishment of a judicial commission to investigate the weekend violence in the region.
“The government has made it clear that the law will strictly take its course against elements involved in vandalism at government institutions, private properties and incidents of vandalism in Gilgit and Skardu and no kind of mischief will be tolerated,” Shabbir Mir, a GB government spokesperson, said in a statement.
“In view of the security situation, curfew will remain in force in Gilgit, while the decision to extend the curfew in Skardu will be taken keeping the ground realities and the changing situation in view.”
The statement did not specify how long the curfew will remain in place in Gilgit.
Besides the formation of the judicial commission to investigate the violent clashes, the government also decided to launch a large-scale de-weaponization campaign in the entire Gilgit district, for which relevant institutions have been directed to immediately complete all necessary arrangements, according to Mir.
In addition, a crackdown has been ordered on hate speech, spread of fake news and cybercrime.
“The aim of these decisions is to ensure the rule of law, protect the lives and property of citizens and crack down on miscreants,” he said. “Approval has also been given to immediately survey the affected infrastructure and start their restoration work on priority basis.”
Demonstrators in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi also stormed the US Consulate on Sunday, smashing windows and attempting to burn the building. Police responded with batons, tear gas, and gunfire, leaving 10 people dead and more than 50 injured.
Pakistani authorities have since beefed up security at US diplomatic missions across the country, including around the US consulate building in Peshawar, to avoid any further violence.
