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
Pakistan PM invites UAE investment across tech and resource sectors at National Day event
- Shehbaz Sharif says the UAE remains a key economic partner and continues to lend ‘critical support’ to Pakistan
- UAE envoy says both nations have potential for cooperation in renewable energy, AI and economic diversification
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is ready to welcome investment from the United Arab Emirates across emerging technologies and resource sectors, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday, as both countries marked the 54th National Day of the Gulf country in Islamabad.
Speaking at the ceremony attended by senior ministers, diplomats and business leaders, Sharif said the UAE remained a key economic partner for Pakistan and continued to lend “critical support” to the country’s stabilizing economy.
“Pakistan takes great pride in its strategic partnership with the UAE, which continues to deepen across every domain of life,” he said. “With Pakistan’s economy stabilizing, we stand ready to welcome Emirati investment in renewable energy, AI, fintech, agriculture and minerals.”
Sharif praised the UAE’s leadership and recalled his earliest memories of the Gulf nation as “a land that believed in possibilities long before they became realities,” saying the country’s progress under President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan commanded “profound admiration.”
UAE Ambassador Salem Al Bawab Al Zaabi said the Emirates was committed to strengthening ties with Pakistan in areas including the economy, energy and artificial intelligence.
He said the two countries shared a “deep-rooted friendship built on mutual respect, shared values and a common vision for regional peace and development.”
“We see tremendous potential for collaboration in renewable energy, artificial intelligence, sustainability and economic diversification,” the ambassador said, adding that the UAE aimed to broaden the scope of its economic relations with Pakistan.
The UAE hosts around 1.8 million Pakistani expatriates, one of the country’s largest overseas communities, who Sharif said contributed “tirelessly” to the Gulf state’s development.
Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also joined the UAE ambassador in a cake-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion.
