News
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Pakistan receives mixed report for anti-terror efforts
* State Dept report says govt crackdown on sectarianism uneven
By Khalid Hasan
WASHINGTON: Pakistan received a mixed report for its efforts to combat terrorism in the annual world review of the state of terrorism released by the State Department on Wednesday. The State Department’s annual review of terrorism around the world said that Pakistani security services co-operated with the United States and other nations to fight terrorism within Pakistan and abroad. Close co-operation between Pakistani, British, and American law-enforcement agencies exposed the August 2006 London-Heathrow bomb plot, leading to the arrest in Pakistan of Rashid Rauf and other alleged conspirators connected to the case. On December 15, 2007, Rauf escaped from police custody in Rawalpindi and remains at large. “Pakistan’s leaders took steps to prevent support to the Kashmiri militancy, and the number of violent attacks in Kashmir was down by approximately 50 percent from 2006, according to public statements made by the Indian Defence minister,” the report stated. The report said, “Pakistan arrested or detained several high-profile terrorist suspects, but faced significant challenges in prosecuting such cases. The government freed 28 militants in November, three of whom were convicted on terrorism charges, in exchange for the release of 213 Pakistani soldiers held by militant commander Baitullah Mehsud.” The Country Reports on Terrorism 2007, the official title of the document, stated that Al Qaeda had rebuilt some of its pre-9/11 capabilities in Pakistan’s remote and less accessible areas. The report said one major reason for the resurgence of terrorist attacks – despite Al Qaeda being weaker today – was the peace deal signed by Pakistan with tribal leaders last year. “Numerous senior Al Qaeda operatives have been captured or killed, but Al Qaeda leaders continued to plot attacks and to cultivate stronger operational connections that radiated outward from Pakistan to affiliates throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe,” according to the report. The report said, “The December 27 assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto … was the most prominent suicide attack.” Uneven efforts: The report noted that the government’s crackdown on banned organisations, hate material, and incitement by religious leaders continued unevenly. Madrassa registration, foreign students’ enrolment in madrassas, and financial disclosure requirements caused friction between the government and religious leaders.
Courtesy Daily Times