WASHINTON – For internal security in Pakistan the policy of drone
attacks and rules of engagement with the country should be reassessed,
pointed out a report of a US-based forum.
An ‘Asia Society’
report titled as ‘Pakistan 2020: A Vision for Building a Better Future’
by Hassan Abbas that was lunched here the other day further said
internal security can be achieved if the international community
directly targets its assistance toward helping Pakistan in this area.
Half
of US funding allocated for counterterrorism and counterinsurgency
support in Pakistan can be directed toward the scientific
investigations and enhancement of forensic sciences as well as other
measures that could improve security in the country, the report of Asia
Society, formerly chaired by late Richard Holbrook, said.
It
suggested that a strategy for internal security in Pakistan will
require revising the curriculum in public schools and madrasa networks,
in ways that encourage pluralism and deter any dissemination of
intolerance. For reducing religious militancy it suggests
De-radicalization programs and the effective use of law enforcement
backed by military force.
Rigid and impartial enforcement of
the law will help ameliorate ethnic strife and sectarian killings in
cities like Karachi, the report said. It also sheds light on problem in
Baluchistan and suggests steps for improvement by revamping
intelligence.
It extends discussion to the issues in Pak-US and
Pak-India relations and gives conclusion for going ahead. The report
elaborated in details the challenges that Pakistan is facing in energy
sector, rule of law, civil-military relations, economy, education,
health and others. The report based on research and interviews of top
officials and experts present suggestions for improvement in various
areas.
Asia Society incumbent President Vishakha N. Desai said
in the foreword that this report, however, is not meant to represent a
consensus among all the members of the Pakistan 2020 Study Group.
The
president said, “This report went to print as the news of Osama Bin
Laden’s death surfaced. As US and Pakistan face an extremely difficult
moment in their bilateral relationship, our hope is that the
recommendations provided here will help policy makers in both countries
and in the broader international community to formulate the best and
most effective decisions to set Pakistan on a progressive path by 2020.” Online
