The United State has expressed its resolve to continue co-operative anti-terror efforts with the new Pakistani government as it develops its own plans and policies to make the tribal areas along Afghan border free of violent extremism.
The State Department also reaffirmed its long-term co-operation for the key South Asian country's multi-faceted programme aimed at bringing socio-economic development to its remote tribal areas.
"We heard from any number of officials in the new Pakistani Government about the fact that the fight against extremism is not an American fight, it's a joint fight with the US and Pakistan and the broader international community. So we continue to work with the new government as it develops its own policies and plans and I expect we are going to do so," spokesman Tom Casey said.
He was responding to questions at regular briefing on counter-terrorism co-operation with Pakistan and reported release of a local leader Sufi Mohammad, something Casey did not comment on as he did not have enough details.
Casey applauded the new government's commitment to fight violent extremism but also felt that those who have been victims of terrorism have no desire to hold talks with terror operatives, who assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Citing Washington's co-operation in socio-economic fields, he voiced the hope that economic development would serve as bulwark against extremism.
"We have a series of ongoing efforts with the Government of Pakistan that deal with both concerns in Pakistan itself, as well as in the federally administered tribal areas (Fata). And you've heard from Assistant Secretary Boucher and others about our long-term development program for the Fata, which is geared at helping to give people opportunities, providing schools, providing basic healthcare, hopefully also providing some economic opportunity and some employment that will help keep people from or give people some options that would keep them or help them to not turn towards some extremist ideas."
At the same time, Casey acknowledged that Fata had historically remained ungoverned, a fact which, he stated, added to the difficulty of challenges in the rugged terrain. He also recognised Pakistan's sovereignty over its areas and made it abundantly clear that it was not for the US to determine the political future of Fata.
"Certainly, Pakistani Government has been working along with us to strengthen the Frontier Corps, to strengthen those security forces indigenous to the Fata, to be able to deal with some of the problems there. And again, were working with them on economic and political development as well.
"But these are concerns that are going to have to be addressed in terms of the long-term future of the Fata by the citizens of that area itself, as well as the Government of Pakistan. "What we want to see, though, is that the Fata be free of extremist violence, be free of al Qaida-inspired terrorism, and be able to develop and prosper and provide a better life for the people there."
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