Fourth Session of the Pakistan-US Joint Working Group
on Counterterrorism, Narcotics and Law Enforcement,
Washington DC, 05 April, 2006

The 4th session of Pakistan-US Joint Working Group on Counterterrorism, Narcotics and Law Enforcement was held in Washington DC on 5th April, 2006. Mr. Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, Federal Minister for Interior, led the Pakistan delegation, comprising Mr. Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Interior; Brig. (Retd) Javed Iqbal Cheema, Director General, National Crisis Management Cell; Brig. Skindar Ali, Director General, Anti-Narcotics Force; and other senior officials of the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Pakistan at Washington DC. Co-Chairs from the US side comprised Ambassador Henry Crumpton, Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the State Department; Ambassador Anne Petterson, Assistant Secretary of State for International Counternarcotics and Law Enforcement; and Mr. Bruce Swartz, Deputy Assistant Attorney General. The session was attended by a large number of senior officials from the South and Central Asian Bureau; the Department of Defence; the Department of Justice; the USAID and the DEA.

The Joint Working Group reviewed in detail bilateral cooperation in the areas of counterterrorism, counternarcotics and law enforcement. The Group expressed its full satisfaction over the ongoing cooperation in the above areas and the major successes achieved so far. The two sides reiterated their strong resolve to continue to combat terrorism and extremism in the most effective manner. The US side reiterated its commitment to assist Pakistan in capacity building in the areas mentioned above. The Group noted that an effective long term strategy for countering terrorism and extremism as well as the eradication of narcotic drugs required a combination of political and administrative measures as well as economic and social uplift.

The US side conveyed its deep appreciation for Pakistan’s role in the war on terror and paid rich tributes to the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in the fight against the terrorists. The US delegation was also deeply appreciative of the effective measures taken by Pakistan in the area of counternarcotics.

Prior to the Joint Working Group session, Mr. Sherpao met with senior Administration officials to hold wide ranging discussions on issues of mutual interest. These included meetings with the Attorney General, Mr.Alberto Gonzales, Undersecretary of State Mr. Nicholas Burns, Undersecretary of Defence, Mr. Eric Edelman, Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs, Mr. Anthony Wayne, Counterterrorism Coordinator, Henry Crumpton, Deputy National Security Adviser, Dr. J.D. Crouch, Ambassador-at-Large Mr. John Miller, Deputy Administrator Drug Enforcement Agency, Ms. Michele Leonhart, and Deputy Assistant Secretary, Mr. John Gastright.

On the Capitol Hill, the Minister met with Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman International Relations Sub-Committee on International Terrorism and Non-Proliferation; and Congressman, Robert Simmons, Chairman Homeland Security Sub-Committee on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment.

The Minister also had extensive interaction with the electronic and print media, including the Associated Press, the Voice of America, and the Washington Post; as well as the Pakistani and local ethnic media.The next session of the joint working group would be held in Pakistan. The dates would be decided through mutual consultation.

Washington DC
April 05, 2006