Adil Najam
The results to our most recent ATP Poll – on the biggest threats facing Pakistan’s future – may be the most surprising results to have come out of any ATP Poll ever.
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Adil Najam
(June 4, 2009: President Obama made an important address to the so-called “Muslim World” today from Egypt. This post was originally on his March address to Pakistanis, but please do leave any comments on today’s speech here.)
US President Barak Obama has just laid out his new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. He says he wants to build a new people-centered and development-centered relationship with Pakistan. Including through a commitment to invest 1.5 billion dollars per year for next five years in development initiatives in Pakistan.
In his strategy, President Obama says: “The people of Pakistan want the same things that we want: an end to terror, access to basic services, the opportunity to live their dreams, and the security that can only come with the rule of law. The single greatest threat to that future comes from al Qaeda and their extremist allies, and that is why we must stand together.” He then goes on to elaborate: “A campaign against extremism will not succeed with bullets or bombs alone. Al Qaeda’s offers the people of Pakistan nothing but destruction. We stand for something different.” In order to implement this, he as proposes the following: “Security demands a new sense of shared responsibility. And that’s why we will launch a standing, trilateral dialogue among the United States, Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
Here is the text of President Obama’s statement:
Today, I’m announcing a comprehensive, new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. And this marks the conclusion of a careful policy review, led by Bruce, that I ordered as soon as I took office. My administration has heard from our military commanders, as well as our diplomats. We’ve consulted with the Afghan and Pakistani governments, with our partners and our NATO allies, and with other donors and international organizations. We’ve also worked closely with members of Congress here at home. And now I’d like to speak clearly and candidly to the American people.
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Adil Najam
The enemies of Pakistan struck again today killing 50 people at a mosque in Jamrud.
According to a report in The News:
JAMRUD: A suicide bomber killed at least 50 people when he blew himself up in a crowded mosque near a security check post in Jamrud town of Khyber Agency on Friday… Police, paramilitary forces and government officials were among the congregation in the mosque, about 30 km (20 miles) from the Afghan border. The bomber set off his explosives as a cleric began prayers. “So far we have counted 50 bodies,” Tariq Hayat Khan, the top administrator in the Khyber region, told Geo news, adding the toll could rise.
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