Remarks by Ambassador Mahmud Durrani

At RAND

On “ Pakistan 's Contribution in Counterterrorism”

( February 22, 2007 )

Ladies and Gentlemen

It is a pleasure for me to be here today with you in this great state of California. I would like to thank RAND for providing me with an opportunity to talk to you about “ Pakistan's Contribution to Counterterrorism”. Terrorism, irrespective of what motivates the terrorist is unacceptable. It is unacceptable to the world and certainly unacceptable to Pakistan.

Recently, we have had a spate of suicide bombing attacks targeting our security forces resulting in the accumulative death of over 95 persons, just in the last few weeks. This is a continuing and a gruesome illustration of a price Pakistan continues to pay for its war against terrorism. We are fighting this war, not only to make the world a safer place but also to defeat the menace of extremism and terrorism from within our country and our neighborhood. Pakistan was created a liberal state by our founding father Mr. Mohammad Ali Jinnah. We do not want to lose our soul to the dark forces of bigotry and extremism, which not only pollute the minds of our innocent youth but also bring a bad name to Islam, a religion of peace, harmony and moderation.

Even before 9/11, Pakistan was a victim of terrorism, spawned by domestic religious extremists and some unfriendly foreign entities. Bomb blasts in trains, bus stops and market places have been taking place since you and we were jointly fighting the Soviets in Afghanistan in the 80s. Post 9/11, we are once again a prime target of the terrorists. Let me assure you that Pakistan is a committed and full time partner of the US in the global war against terrorism. We as a frontline state remain resolute and determined to destroy this menace.

Pakistan is making impressive contribution towards this global war against terror. We have pursued Al-Qaeda and its allies aggressively through counter-terrorist measures across the country as well as in our Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). We have conducted several operations against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda along the Pakistan Afghanistan border, in coordination with the coalition forces operating in Afghanistan.

Through good intelligence cooperation with US, Pakistan security forces have been successful in destroying entrenched terrorist bases in our tribal areas. We have apprehended over 600 Al-Qaeda operatives and affiliates including some of its top leaders. During military operations in FATA since August 2003, over 700 terrorists have been killed. And a total of 324 foreigners and 742 local terrorists have been apprehended by our security forces. Needless to say this is not without cost. Pakistan has also lost over 900 soldiers. Yet we remain firm in our resolve.

As you well know we are working very closely with the US in this effort. Security forces and intelligence outfits of both our countries are reinforcing each other. A mechanism is already in place to bring in the Afghan Government in this cooperative effort. Eventually, through understanding and good coordination we will surely deny operational space to the terrorists.

This war, ladies and gentlemen, is complex and cannot be won on the battle field alone. We have to fight this war at multiple levels, through a well thought out strategy, while changing our tactics to adapt to the changing scenarios. We will start to win this battle when we are consistently a step ahead of the terrorists and not merely reacting. I can assure you this will be a long haul. Therefore, commitment and patience are fundamental. I am glad that the US and NATO have decided to increase the number troops operating in Afghanistan.

Fighting a conventional war is a piece of cake when compared to fighting a war against terrorism. A conventional war is fought on enemy territory against uniformed soldiers where the lines and rules of engagement are clearly defined. While fighting terrorism it is difficult to differentiate between the good guys and the bad guys, as most engagements are fought on friendly territory. If fought unintelligently we can force the good guys into joining the ranks of the bad guys.

We in Pakistan are trying to ensure that conditions that breed terrorism are also addressed. Terrorism grows in a toxic brew of marginalization, ignorance, poverty, deprivation, lack of opportunity and a real or perceived sense of injustice. We have launched a massive program to bring the people of our tribal areas into the national mainstream by providing them with education, economic activity and political participation. The US government is an important partner in this endeavor.

I will now address the much maligned FATA strategy which we have launched in one of the seven tribal agencies of our Frontier Province . The fundamental objective of this strategy is to encourage the population of this territory to move away from terrorism by offering them an alternative. The cornerstone of this strategy is an agreement achieved through a Grand Jirga. An agreement, reached between the Federal Government of Pakistan on the one hand and the Tribal Elders of North Waziristan Agency on the other. The primary purpose of this agreement is to defeat terrorist activities within North Waziristan and deny a safe haven to terrorists to launch attacks into Afghanistan . The Tribal Jirga has agreed to the following conditions:

•  Law enforcement agencies will not be attacked and no kind of target killing will be allowed.

•  No parallel administration will be established in the area. The authority will rest only with the Government of Pakistan.

•  The border with Afghanistan will not be crossed for any kind of militancy or terrorist activity.

•  No ingress in settled areas adjacent to North Waziristan Agency will take place.

•  All foreigners in North Waziristan Agency will leave Pakistan. However, those who are unable to do so for certain genuine reasons shall respect law of the land and abide by all the conditions of this agreement. They will surrender arms and would not be allowed to carry out any militant activities in Afghanistan.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On the 15 th of this month President Bush announced a five point strategy to fight terrorism in Afghanistan. The five elements of the new strategy are:-

•  Increase the size and capability of the Afghan security forces.

•  Strengthen the NATO forces in Afghanistan .

•  Help Afghanistan to improve provincial governance and develop Afghanistan's rural economy.

•  Help Afghanistan reverse increase in poppy cultivation that is aiding the Taliban.

•  Help Afghanistan to fight corruption, which is endemic.

We in Pakistan welcome this new comprehensive strategy. In fact President Musharraf and other political leaders of Pakistan are on record, recommending the basic elements of the Bush strategy for a long time. Terrorism will indeed be defeated only when this reform agenda in Afghanistan is firmly in place. I can assure you that Pakistan will do everything in its power to support the new Bush goals. Remember, all of us are in this together to defeat a common threat.

In conclusion,

Let me assure you that Pakistan wants peace both on its eastern as well its western border. This is for very selfish reasons. For only peace on our borders can bring internal stability, economic development and the much needed improvement in the quality of life of our people. Pakistan has bled twice for Afghanistan . First time, we bled when Pakistan supported the International efforts to drive out the Soviets in the eighties, and more recently - post 9/11. Incidentally we still continue to support about three million Afghan refugees in Pakistan , which is part of the problem. We are in the process to address this problem too.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Pakistan can realize its dream of becoming a regional trading and energy hub only if Afghanistan is politically and economically stable. An unstable Afghanistan is not in our interest. We wish Afghanistan peace and stability – for their sake and also for our own sake.

I thank you for your attention.

February 22, 2007