ISLAMABAD: US Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday appeared convinced about a positive change in Pakistan’s approach to confronting militancy, but would wait to see its results.

“Pakistani forces deserve enormous credit for the ongoing military operations that they have already undertaken in North Waziristan and elsewhere, and these operations have already produced significant results. But make no mistake; the task is a difficult one and it is not done,” Secretary Kerry told reporters after co-chairing the fifth edition of the ministerial level Strategic Dialogue with his Pakistani counterpart Sartaj Aziz.

The Strategic Dialogue meeting covered most of the facets of bilateral relationship – trade, economic assistance, defence cooperation, energy and strategic issues, but the focus was pre-dominantly on counter-terrorism, specifically the progress made during the Zarb-i-Azb military operation in North Waziristan and the consensus that emerged in Pakistan after the Dec 16 Peshawar school carnage.

Islamabad reminded that the task is difficult and much remains to be done

It was one of those rare high-level bilateral interactions where Pakistan’s sincerity in fighting terrorism was not doubted even though Islamabad was reminded of its past mistake of not adequately dealing with militancy, as Mr Kerry noted: “The tragedy of Dec 16 is really a reminder of the serious risks of allowing extremists to find space and to be able to command that space and operate within it.”

In an appreciation of Pakistan’s new found resolve to fight terrorism, Mr Kerry pledged stronger defence and security cooperation and an assistance of $250 million for rehabilitation of the people displaced by the Zarb-i-Azb operation and certified that relationship was “mature” and “making progress”.

“The United States is committed to deepening our security partnership with Pakistan in order to eliminate threats in the border area and elsewhere,” he said.

The details about augmenting the defence and security relationship are being separately worked out in the military-to-military and intelligence talks.

At the press conference, Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz quantified the progress in Zarb-i-Azb and said that almost 85 to 90 per cent of North Waziristan had been cleared. Moreover, he said the infrastructure of the Haqqani network had been totally destroyed and the terror group’s ability to operate in Afghanistan from North Waziristan sanctuaries had “virtually disappeared”.

Without formally committing action against Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Mr Aziz said: “As far as other groups are concerned, as times come, you see how the operation – this national action plan moves forward and how action is taken.”

Secretary Kerry had specifically sought action against the LeT in addition to the usual list of Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network which, Pakistan claims and the US acknowledges, are already being targeted.

A separate background briefing for media by senior State Department officials gave a better insight into the US level of satisfaction about Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts. The officials not only acknowledged that the Haqqani network had been disrupted, cooperation against Al Qaeda had increased, but more importantly appeared satisfied with government’s steps to keep alleged Mumbai attacks mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi under detention despite court bail.

“But it’s no secret that we continue to suggest that more has to be done on that in particular and that it’s very important to us, as it should be important to Pakistan and is very important to Afghans,” the officials added.

INDIA: Speaking about renewed tensions between Pakistan and India and skirmishes along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary, Secretary Kerry disclosed that he had pushed the Indian government during his recent visit to India to re-engage with Pakistan.

“I did the same thing in India that I did here; I encouraged the parties to have a dialogue,” he said, adding that the two countries would have to “put a lot of time and effort into overcoming historical mistrust and past events, enmities that have come from that history.”

Mr Kerry offered US help for re-engagement but said India and Pakistan needed to resolve their problems by themselves. He called for a dialogue between the two estranged South Asian neighbours on substantive issues of concern to them for achieving a sustainable peace.

Pakistan has been asking the US to use its good offices to restart the stalled peace process with India.

“We hope, therefore, that the US, as an influential member of the international community, can prevail upon India to work with Pakistan towards regional peace and economic prosperity,” Sartaj Aziz said.

ASSISTANCE FOR IDPs: Secretary Kerry announced an assistance of $250m for rehabilitation of people displaced because of military operation in North Waziristan and reconstruction of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata.

The money has been re-appropriated from the Kerry-Lugar aid and will be used for emergency food, aid, shelter, health, education and livestock support projects.

“It’s been appropriated already. It’s not new money, but it’s the money that was either going to go elsewhere or that we’re redirecting,” clarified a State Department official at the background briefing.

Sartaj Aziz said that rehabilitation of close to a million IDPs and reconstruction effort in North Waziristan would cost $1.5-2 billion for which the government was seeking international assistance.

Secretary Kerry hinted that the US could chip in more aid money for IDPs once “Pakistan develops its own plans”.

MEETING WITH COAS: Mr Kerry called on Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif at the latter’s offices on Tuesday, APP adds.

During a delegation-level meeting, they discussed wide-ranging issues, including regional security and stability and Afghanistan, ISPR Director General Maj Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa said in a tweet.

Earlier, Secretary Kerry visited the General Headquarters, laid floral wreath at the Shuhada Monument and paid tribute to the martyrs. On his arrival, he was presented a guard of honour.

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2015

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