Special Correspondent
US-Pakistan counterterrorism alliance must target socio-economic development in militancy prone areas, and not just rely on military actions, a Pakistani opposition party leader said days after President Donald Trump pledged to root out terror.
Pakistan also wants to get rid of terrorism as it has “suffered more than any other country,” with more than 60,000 dead and billions of rupees in economic losses, Andleeb Abbas, a member of the Opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf said.
“Pakistan and the United States have been allies for a long time. But eradicating terrorism through military operations (alone) is not enough.” That is why in the last 10 years terrorism has not been totally contained, added Abbas.
“Along with military operations, there has to be a focus on uplifting of the areas where terrorism takes place,” she said, referring to federally administrated tribal areas, which had long been breeding ground of militancy.
She said the tribal had long been militant stronghold because there were no reforms in governance, and because people had no access to social or human development, basic facilities like education, health and jobs.
An effective counterterrorism drive is linked to effective governance, she said, explaining that corruption weakens institutions.
Washington, she said, needs to have a holistic view on controlling terrorism. Abbas also spoke to The Washington Post, saying curbing terror depends on socio-economic measures.
“If there is no war against illiteracy, no war against poverty and no war against inequity, the war against terrorism will continue to be a battle unconquered,” she said
“Illiteracy is the breeding ground for terrorism,” she told the newspaper.
Trump “needs to have an open mind,” she said, according to the Post. “Pakistan and the US need to be allies.”