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‘Pak-Afghan cooperation must for regional stability’
Thursday, 21 April, 2011 06:37:13 AM
London (Special Correspondent) - UK Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Karen Pierce has said that mutual cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan is a must for stability in the region and Pakistan’s role is key to success for the reconciliation process in Afghanistan.
This she stated at question-answer session with media persons at a briefing held at Foreign and Commonwealth Office here the other day.
She recalled that people of Pakistan, army and security forces had rendered great sacrifices during war on terror while its armed forces had conducted very successful operations against extremists.
Replying to a question she welcomed formation of Pak-Afghan joint commission and added that it would help civil and military leaderships of both the countries to run the affairs in a better way.
She said this year is very important for Afghanistan as with this the Allied forces’ attack on Afghanistan would complete 11 years. The provinces were undergoing transitional process while Afghan forces had taken over most of the security responsibility and ESSAF was helping them in this behalf.
She further said that the transitional stage was very important for the stability of the country under West-Afghan common strategy since Afghanistan would give quite a different look by the year 2014 because of these measures. Law and order in the provinces and districts included in transition process is also a challenging task before them.
The Director of the Foreign Office’s South Asia Department said appointment of local governors and officials as well as timely release of funds to the Central government would be ensured. She further stated that President Obama would announce a time frame in July this year for reduction in the number of US troops in Afghanistan. She said number of diplomatic and training staff would be increased and reconciliation efforts would be geared up. Afghanistan would be made politically and economically stable.
She said By Peace Afghan Council had talked with certain extremist groups and Britain supported Peace Council’s measures to bring peace to Afghanistan. She said extremists had been made inactive and their network had been weakened while people’s trust in Afghan army and Police was showing gradual increase.
Replying to a question she agreed that weeding out corruption from Afghanistan was an important issue. Action would be taken against those involved in Kabul Bank scandal.
Replying to another question Karen Pierce said poppy cultivation had shown drastic cut thanks to wholehearted public campaign while support for Taliban had also declined. Local business and trade unions were being promoted and foreign investment encouraged consolidating the economy.
Head of the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team, Michael O’Neill said situation there had shown considerable improvement during the last 11/12 months with the introduction of local governance and district council but much was still to be done. Afghan forces would be allowed to work in the fore front. Number of army and police force had been increased and the people were now showing faith in their own system. Leadership courses were being arranged for Local elders. Governor of Helmand had entered into peace agreements with tribal elders which process would be expanded to other areas too. The country had been the victim of war, poverty and civil strife for the last 38 years and therefore it would take time to set the thing back on the track.
He conceded that security still remained a great challenge. Dispensation of justice without delay had to be ensured.
He said attention was being paid to improve economic infrastructure, transport, agriculture and other sectors.
Chief of Defence Staff’s Strategic Communications Spokesperson, Major General John Lorimer replying to a question said that Afghan forces still faced a big challenge from Taliban and extremists but the self-confidence in Afghan security forces was on the rise and they had carried out major operation to break extremists’ network.
To a question about penetration of Taliban into Security forces he said recruitments were being made after thorough investigation.
This she stated at question-answer session with media persons at a briefing held at Foreign and Commonwealth Office here the other day.
She recalled that people of Pakistan, army and security forces had rendered great sacrifices during war on terror while its armed forces had conducted very successful operations against extremists.
Replying to a question she welcomed formation of Pak-Afghan joint commission and added that it would help civil and military leaderships of both the countries to run the affairs in a better way.
She said this year is very important for Afghanistan as with this the Allied forces’ attack on Afghanistan would complete 11 years. The provinces were undergoing transitional process while Afghan forces had taken over most of the security responsibility and ESSAF was helping them in this behalf.
She further said that the transitional stage was very important for the stability of the country under West-Afghan common strategy since Afghanistan would give quite a different look by the year 2014 because of these measures. Law and order in the provinces and districts included in transition process is also a challenging task before them.
The Director of the Foreign Office’s South Asia Department said appointment of local governors and officials as well as timely release of funds to the Central government would be ensured. She further stated that President Obama would announce a time frame in July this year for reduction in the number of US troops in Afghanistan. She said number of diplomatic and training staff would be increased and reconciliation efforts would be geared up. Afghanistan would be made politically and economically stable.
She said By Peace Afghan Council had talked with certain extremist groups and Britain supported Peace Council’s measures to bring peace to Afghanistan. She said extremists had been made inactive and their network had been weakened while people’s trust in Afghan army and Police was showing gradual increase.
Replying to a question she agreed that weeding out corruption from Afghanistan was an important issue. Action would be taken against those involved in Kabul Bank scandal.
Replying to another question Karen Pierce said poppy cultivation had shown drastic cut thanks to wholehearted public campaign while support for Taliban had also declined. Local business and trade unions were being promoted and foreign investment encouraged consolidating the economy.
Head of the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team, Michael O’Neill said situation there had shown considerable improvement during the last 11/12 months with the introduction of local governance and district council but much was still to be done. Afghan forces would be allowed to work in the fore front. Number of army and police force had been increased and the people were now showing faith in their own system. Leadership courses were being arranged for Local elders. Governor of Helmand had entered into peace agreements with tribal elders which process would be expanded to other areas too. The country had been the victim of war, poverty and civil strife for the last 38 years and therefore it would take time to set the thing back on the track.
He conceded that security still remained a great challenge. Dispensation of justice without delay had to be ensured.
He said attention was being paid to improve economic infrastructure, transport, agriculture and other sectors.
Chief of Defence Staff’s Strategic Communications Spokesperson, Major General John Lorimer replying to a question said that Afghan forces still faced a big challenge from Taliban and extremists but the self-confidence in Afghan security forces was on the rise and they had carried out major operation to break extremists’ network.
To a question about penetration of Taliban into Security forces he said recruitments were being made after thorough investigation.
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UK Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Karen Pierce
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