WASHINGTON: Minister of Interior Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday emphasised the importance of Pakistan-US partnership in achieving common regional objectives and the promotion of mutual interests.
He was speaking at a roundtable discussion of US scholars and thinktank analysts at the Middle East Institute in Washington.
The minister underlined the work of the Pakistan forces in rescuing American national Caitlan Coleman and her family, who had been held captive in Afghanistan since 2012. He said the release in an operation based on intelligence shared by the US was a testament to the value of close cooperation between the two countries.
Minister Iqbal also briefed the audience about the improved security environment in Pakistan while alluding to the significant decline in the incidence of terrorist attacks in Pakistan since 2013, which had restored foreign investor confidence in the country.
The minister called Pakistan’s counter-terrorism strategy, based on the 20-point National Action Plan (NAP), a rare example of success in the fight against terrorism in the region.
He said his government had turned around the country’s economy in the past four years, through policies of economic reform and infrastructure development.
Separately, the interior minister told Voice of America that Pakistan has rendered unprecedented sacrifices in the war against terrorism and its valiant forces have broken the back of terrorists.
Terrorism is common enemy of Pakistan and the United States, adding that both countries have a decade-old relationship, which should now be transformed into economic and social bonds.
Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan is the biggest stakeholder of peace in Afghanistan as it will be the first country to reap dividends of Afghan peace.