PESHAWAR: US Consul General in Peshawar Shante Moore has said his government is aware of the security situation in Pakistan, especially external factors affecting it since the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan in August 2021.

Mr Moore told reporters here that the US would continue evaluating its security assistance to Pakistan, especially for law-enforcement agencies, given the significance of the security situation for both national and regional stability.

He insisted that both political and economic factors were responsible for instability in Pakistan.

The US consul general, however, said external factors, too, were contributing to the country’s security challenges.

Consul general says security challenges biggest hurdle to foreign investment in province

“Some neighbours are struggling with their own security issues as well as cross-border terrorism. That is also adversely impacting Pakistan’s security,” he said.

Mr Moore said that the US encouraged Pakistan to ensure it has necessary security mechanisms in place for its people.

He said that his country would continue providing support to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially for police, Frontier Corps and other security forces, to protect public life in the province.

The US consul general declared the security situation in the province the biggest hurdle to foreign investment and said the US mission was working closely with the provincial government and police, the federal government and the army to help improve the security situation.

“Young entrepreneurs often tell me that the security crisis has affected the province’s prosperity and development, so under such circumstances, it’ll be difficult for foreigners to put their money here,” he said.

Mr Moore said Pakistan was a 77-year-old thriving democracy but still, it was struggling with issues.

He said that street protests and disagreements were signs of a healthy democracy as long as they’re peaceful.

When asked about anti-American sentiments in Pakistan, the diplomat insisted that they’re limited to some segments of society. He said most people he had interacted with wanted a better understanding of the US support for KP.

Mr Moore said that his government had helped the province develop its mines and mineral sector. He said that Washington invited Islamabad to join the Minerals Security Partnership Forum, a platform for projects and policies to promote diverse supply chains while supporting local industry and capacity and advancing high environmental, social, and governance standards.

The US consul general said that his mission was carrying out programmes for high school teachers to educate students about climate change, journalism students’ internship at media outlets, development of young entrepreneurs, dissemination of information about education in the US, and preservation of cultural heritage.

“Our Indiana University’s trainers have just completed the first of four training programmes in cultural heritage preservation for 35 employees of the directorate of archaeology and museums,” he said.

Mr Moore said the International Narcotics and Law-Enforcement Affairs funded the establishment of 28 gender desks in the province’s model police stations.

“These desks, staffed by women police officers, are offering women a safe and secure environment to lodge complaints and ensure their early resolution,” he said.

The US consul general said those desks recorded around 8,405 complaints, including 5,550 of domestic violence, 1,532 of property disputes, 828 of harassment, and 497 others, since their establishment.

“Ninety per cent of the complaints have been resolved. This is a huge success, considering the sociocultural norms of the conservative region,” he said.

Mr Moore said that the USAID had a strong and lasting partnership with the KP government.

He said that since 2008, the aid agency had invested more than $1.7 billion in the province, including its tribal region, showing its commitment to addressing challenges.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2024