Ambassador William Brownfield, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, and Pakistani Minister of Interior Rehman Malik co-hosted the latest round of the U.S. - Pakistan Law Enforcement and Counterterrorism Working Group in Washington, DC on October 5. The working group discussed means to disrupt the illicit networks that supply the components and financing for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The U.S. and Pakistani delegations emphasized the importance of taking action against the threat posed by IEDs to their respective civilian, law enforcement, and military personnel. The U.S. delegation reiterated the danger these devices pose to Pakistan as well as Afghan, U.S., and coalition forces working to establish stability and security in Afghanistan. The U.S. delegation noted the steps taken by the Government of Pakistan to combat IEDs. Both sides recommitted to pursuing practical solutions for improving joint efforts to combat IEDs and work with the Government of Afghanistan to improve security along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
The U.S. and Pakistani delegations each agreed to take specific steps to: strengthen coordination and communication; improve enforcement of existing laws on the transport and storage of IED precursors; increase public awareness of the threat posed by IED networks and facilitators; disrupt financial flows that support these networks; and improve interdiction efforts.
The U.S. delegation included senior representatives from the Department of State, the Department of Defense, and the Treasury Department.
