Friday
Oct172008
Extremism in Pakistan higher than ever
Friday, October 17, 2008 at 2:57PM
Extremists in the Middle East believe the war on terror is "targeted against Muslims" said Former Interior Minister of Pakistan Aftab Khan Sherpao. He added that this belief some have in Pakistan is "misguided."
The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) held a discussion on extremism in Pakistan. Sherpao said that the U.S. must rely on dialogue with native Pakistanis, development of the country of Pakistan, and deterrence against insurgents residing in Pakistan. He added that "winning the hearts and minds of people" in that region is very important.
Sherpao did caution that military action would not accomplish anything in the fight against terrorism, but that Pakistan "needs immediate help." He said that Al-Qaeda and the Taliban are "well resourced" and "highly motivated."
Former U.S. ambassador to Pakistan Wendy Chamberlin said that "extremism is spreading" in that region. She added that the situation is as bad as ever in Pakistan, saying "Anti-Americanism is at its peak" in the country. She said that we must not merely help Pakistan on its Afghanistan border, but "all of Pakistan."
USIP Senior Rule of Law Advisor Alexander Thier said that "Pakistan is in turmoil." She said the extremist movement in Pakistan is "threatening everything." Sherpao agreed, saying extremism in
Pakistan "affects the world as a whole."
The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) held a discussion on extremism in Pakistan. Sherpao said that the U.S. must rely on dialogue with native Pakistanis, development of the country of Pakistan, and deterrence against insurgents residing in Pakistan. He added that "winning the hearts and minds of people" in that region is very important.
Sherpao did caution that military action would not accomplish anything in the fight against terrorism, but that Pakistan "needs immediate help." He said that Al-Qaeda and the Taliban are "well resourced" and "highly motivated."
Former U.S. ambassador to Pakistan Wendy Chamberlin said that "extremism is spreading" in that region. She added that the situation is as bad as ever in Pakistan, saying "Anti-Americanism is at its peak" in the country. She said that we must not merely help Pakistan on its Afghanistan border, but "all of Pakistan."
USIP Senior Rule of Law Advisor Alexander Thier said that "Pakistan is in turmoil." She said the extremist movement in Pakistan is "threatening everything." Sherpao agreed, saying extremism in
Pakistan "affects the world as a whole."
Officials Set The Record Straight About Extremists And Pakistan
The popular opinion regarding Pakistan has been misrepresented by a headline-seeking media and conflicting U.S. policies with the Middle Eastern country according to a panel of experts and elected officials in Washington, D.C.
“The U.S. wants to create better relations with Pakistan, yet the bombing continues,” said panelist Samina Ahmed, South Asia Project Director at the International Crisis Group.
Congress has allocated millions of dollars to assist Pakistani civilians who have lost homes and belongings due to bombings, according to Wendy Chamberlin, President of the Middle East Institute.
“The media created a picture of them being anti-American, all Muslims do not hate America...do not call these extremists the Taliban, that means nothing, they are al-Qaida. The extremists are not popular there,” said Chamberlin.
Chamberlain said the media’s portrayal of Pakistan has had a devastating effect on the country’s international relations. U.S. Rep. John Tierney (D-Mass.), who was also a part of the panel, discussed strategy for ending extremism in Pakistan during a May hearing with the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs.
“Campaign against extremism will not succeed with bullets and bombs alone. A critical part of the administration’s new strategy is to significantly increase civilian staffing,” Tierney said.