Washington, Oct 11: Recognising Pakistan as a country that has demonstrated its "commitment" to fight terrorism and crime, US has extended its support to strengthen Islamabad's control over frontier areas bordering Afghanistan. In a letter of agreement, Washington undertakes to strengthen Pakistan's control over its frontier areas bordering Afghanistan and provide training and equipment to develop police capacity, including the creation of a border security coordination centre, a State Department release said. The document officially recognises Pakistan as a country that "over the past several years" has "demonstrated its commitment to fight terrorism and crime." It also lauds Pakistan for combating narcotics trade and crime through its efforts to address money laundering, trafficking of persons, contraband smuggling, opium cultivation, and other forms of criminal activity. The letter mentions that since the September 11 attacks, the US significantly expanded its assistance to Pakistan to strengthen its law enforcement capacity. This included construction of roads in frontier areas and border outposts, vehicles, communications equipment, police reform programmes, and law enforcement training activities.
Bureau Report