‘Pak-US mutual trust key to winning strategic goals’

WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s Chief Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz on Monday emphasised the establishment of mutual trust between Pakistan and the US at all levels and among all key institutions to build strategic convergence instead of remaining captive to isolated tactical differences.

“The trust factor, therefore, remains critical to our enduring partnership,” Aziz told the opening round of the Pak-US strategic dialogue which began here on Monday with Secretary of State John Kerry leading the US side. 

Underscoring the need to look at Pakistan in its own right, Aziz said fostering a long-term partnership would necessitate exclusive focus on Pakistan’s inherent strengths and opportunities. 

He also called on the US to appreciate and respect Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns in the region, as the US moves forward with its ‘pivot Asia policy’ in pursuit of its own national security objectives.

Aziz said: “I would use the yardstick of these three elements in sharing my assessment of the significant changes that have occurred in Pakistan in the past two and a half years. In the interest of brevity, I would essentially be touching on four inter-related themes: Pakistan’s sincere and consistent efforts for a peaceful neighbourhood, consolidation of democracy, economic revival and countering terrorism and violent extremism. 

“Let me begin with the issue of regional dynamics. We are all aware of Pakistan’s complex geo-political history. Instead of being viewed through lenses borrowed from East or West, Pakistan must be afforded its own strategic space. We believe we have earned this over a history of result-oriented relationship.

“We all recognise the wide ranging and complex problems confronting Afghanistan. Regrettably, there is a tendency to blame Pakistan in a simplistic fashion for most of these challenges. We are blamed to be pursuing a duplicitous policy.

“This narrative revives the unpleasant memories of the past when our relations had dipped to perhaps its lowest level in recent years. Nothing can be farther from truth than to hold Pakistan responsible for the Afghan imbroglio. Who would like to set one’s neighbour on fire with the hope to save one’s own backyard?

“Pakistan has suffered the most due to the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. Actions taken by Pakistan against terrorist groups of all shades and colors in North Waziristan have been unprecedented. At this critical juncture we have to avoid the blame game, admit mistakes committed by all of us and closely cooperate and coordinate our respective policies.

“I would, therefore, like to highlight some recent developments that demonstrate Pakistan’s sincere commitment to transform its relationship with Afghanistan. This is a vital area of strategic convergence between Pakistan and the US.

“Today, there is growing consensus that an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process is the best way to achieve lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.

“After the intense deliberations among the relevant stakeholders, the Quadrilateral Coordination Group consisting of Pakistan, US, China and Afghanistan has unanimously agreed on a road map to take the reconciliation process forward. It has elements that would address US and Afghan concerns related to groups involved in violence against the US troops and against Afghanistan besides advancing the reconciliation process.

“As an important part of our policy of a peaceful neighbourhood, we have reached out to India. We believe that the resolution of all outstanding issues - including the Kashmir dispute - is possible through resumption of full-scale and uninterrupted dialogue with India. We had also proposed a mechanism to address our respective concerns on terrorism.

“The Indian participation in the Heart of Asia Conference in Islamabad last December and announcement to start the Comprehensive Dialogue are positive developments that augur well for peace and stability in South Asia. Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Islamabad was welcomed by most in Pakistan. Here, I would like to express our gratitude to you and President Obama for your consistent support to the revival of Pakistan-India Dialogue.

“It is unfortunate that the agreement on resuming the dialogue process was disrupted by the attack on Pathankot Airbase on 2 January. Pakistan has taken some important steps in the aftermath of the Pathankot incident. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called the Indian Prime Minister immediately after the attack and assured of Pakistan’s support in the investigation. National Security Advisers are maintaining frequent contacts. A case has been registered and the Special Investigation Team is likely to visit India in the next few days. 

“We, therefore, hope that the Foreign Secretary level talks will be scheduled very soon. Our strategy to eliminate the terrorist networks and defeat their extremist ideology is all-encompassing. We are focusing on three fronts that include both kinetic and non-kinetic actions.

“First, through our military operation Zarb-e-Azb, we are determined to deny space to any terrorist groups to plan and launch violent activities from the Pakistani soil. After almost year and a half since its launch, Zarb-e-Azb is probably the most successful story in the history of CT operations. The most treacherous and unreachable areas in FATA especially in North Waziristan are now under the writ of the State. The terrorists have either been killed, captured or flushed out of their heavens.

“Secondly, in line with priorities of the National Action Plan, we are taking all necessary measures to launch intelligence based operations and choke the funding sources of terrorist organizations. So far, more than one billion rupees worth of accounts have been frozen by the State Bank of Pakistan belonging to the terrorist and extremist organisations. Moreover, through concerted action by the relevant authorities, media visibility and public outreach of the proscribed organisations is gradually shrinking.

“Thirdly, multiple actions are underway to defeat the extremist agenda or propaganda of the terrorist organisations through a counter-narrative strategy. We are mindful that the most important aspect of a successful counter strategy is to win the support and trust of local communities. In this context, we are engaging the religious scholars and community leaders to establish close contacts with young people in their communities, mosques and schools and discuss issues that provoke radical narratives and misunderstandings. 

“Recently in a huge gathering of religious scholars in Islamabad where eminent leaders from across the Muslim world participated, a comprehensive fatwa was issued declaring ISIL a terrorist group. Similarly, this vast array of Muslim scholars pronounced that killing innocent civilians was not permissible in Islam.

“In my view, it is equally important to explore other specific areas of cooperation that could either be addressed within the ambit of existing working groups or consider newer mechanism, if deemed appropriate. In conclusion, I would like to propose the following elements that could be considered for charting out the way forward towards an enduring and multifaceted relationship between our two countries.

“First, I see a lot of mutual benefit in taking forward the vision of our leadership to transform this relationship as people-centered. The six working groups should explore all avenues with regard to developing institutional linkages in different areas currently dealt in their respective purview. 

“Second, expanding cooperation for enhancing bilateral trade and investment cannot be overemphasised. I would urge the two sides to sit together to work out a mutually acceptable framework to ensure enhanced market access for Pakistani products in the US. 

“Third, creating opportunities for the talented Pakistani youth in acquiring both educational and entrepreneurial skills from the state of the art US institutes should also be our mutual priority. 

“Fourth, as Pakistan is a water deficient country, I believe it would be extremely important to explore ways and means to address the water issues in the existing working group of Energy. Needless to point out that water scarcity in Pakistan could negatively impact the regional stability with global ramifications; 

“Fifth, our defence partnership has been a key pillar of our overall relationship. A structured and mutually agreed platform will help in making our defence cooperation serve our enduring common interests. 

“Sixth, the US cooperation and support for more efficient border management between Afghanistan and Pakistan will help check illegal movement of terrorists criminals and smugglers. 

“Seventh, after the rehabilitation stage, Pakistan will undertake major programme of reconstruction for TDPs. We hope our allies including the United States will supplement our efforts in this regard.”