Pakistan asks US for small arms for Operation Azm-i-Istehkam but the American help might come with caution

File image of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States has requested Washington to provide small arms and modern equipment to help the country with its Operation Azm-i-Istehkam, a newly approved counter-terrorism initiative.

Earlier this month, the cash-strapped country's Federal government greenlit the reinvigorated national counter-terrorism drive. However, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has already made it clear that the initiative would not be a large-scale military operation and would not displace local populations, Dawn reported.

“Pakistan has launched Azm-i-Istehkam […] to oppose and dismantle terrorist networks. For that, we need sophisticated small arms and communication equipment,” said Ambassador Khan while addressing US policymakers, scholars, intelligentsia, and corporate leaders at a Washington think tank, the Wilson Centre, earlier this week.

During a subsequent Q&A round, he elaborated that the operation will comprise three components: doctrinal, societal, and operational. He also mentioned that the Pakistani government has already begun working on the first two phases and the third phase will be implemented soon.

Pak's request to US

Khan emphasised that Pakistan and the United States should maintain strong security links and enhance intelligence cooperation. “This is crucial for regional security and opposing the rising tide of terrorism that also threatens the interests of the US and its allies,” he added.

The Pakistani envoy insisted that the prospects of Pakistan-United States relations are bright in this regard. “We share values, our security and economic interests are interwoven, and it is the aspiration of our two peoples that strengthens our ties,” the Ambassador averred.

Khan also requested the United States to partner in Pakistan's diplomatic efforts in Kabul and collaborate on counterterrorism and the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.

“In this era of renewed strategic competition, the US and Pakistan should build on existing partnerships and explore new horizons to establish the parameters of mutual interests,” said Masood Khan.

“We should not base our engagement on the incongruity of expectations. Our ties should be anchored in ground realities, even as we aim for stronger security and economic partnerships. Secondly, one or two issues should not hold the entire relationship hostage," he concluded.

US State Department expressed support but the question of supplying arms remains hanging

Earlier this week, the US Department of State expressed support for the Pakistani operation and insisted that no country should face the kind of terrorist attacks that Pakistan has seen in recent years. “We support Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism and ensure the safety and security of its citizens in a manner that promotes the rule of law and protection of human rights," State Department’s spokesperson Matthew Miller said while responding to questions at a press briefing.

“Pakistani people have suffered tremendously from terrorist attacks. No country should have to suffer such acts of terror,” he added. However, the support came with caution.

While speaking on the lynching of a man in Madyan for alleged desecration of the Holy Quran, Miller pointed out that the country should be concerned about the human rights abuse on its soil.

“Violence or the threat of violence against another person is never an acceptable form of expression, and we oppose blasphemy laws everywhere in the world […] because they jeopardise the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of religion or belief,” the US official averred.

“We continue to urge Pakistani authorities to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all. This includes freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom of association, and the right to peaceful assembly,” he added.

With inputs from agencies.