Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan represented Pakistan at the Summit Meeting on Countering Violent Extremism sponsored by the White House

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan represented Pakistan at the Summit Meeting on Countering Violent Extremism sponsored by the White House

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan represented Pakistan at the Summit Meeting on Countering Violent Extremism sponsored by the White House on 19 February 2015. He was joined by leaders from across the world.

In his remarks at the summit, the Interior Minister Ch. Nisar Ali Khan appreciated US Administration leadership for taking the summit initiative that could lay the basis for forging common ground against the common enemy of violent extremism. Violent extremism was an affront to core human values and threatened all societies; there were no accused or judges in this debate, the Interior Minister stated.

The Interior Minister presented a five points strategy at the Summit meeting which could form the conceptual bed rock of a global action plan in dealing with violent extremism. The five point action plan dwells on (i) Strengthening local communities, (ii) Winning the trust of mainstream peace loving majority, (iii) building resilience in local communities against radicalization, (iv) addressing the push factors driving people to extremism; and (v) focusing on education to promote tolerance and communal harmony.

Recalling the incident of terrorist attack on a school in Peshawar in December last year, the Interior Minister stated that Pakistan not only understood the challenge but also empathized with other nations facing inhuman and mindless acts of violence. Despite the high odds, the Minister informed an audience of world leaders, the people of Pakistan remained steadfast in their resolve to defeat the menace of terrorism. Sharing Pakistan’s recent actions in this regard, the Interior Minister said that the operation Zarb-e-Azb and Pakistan’s National Action Plan were tangible and concrete demonstration of comprehensive and determined Law Enforcement actions being taken by Pakistan.

Earlier, President Obama addressed the opening session of the Summit and outlined his own strategy to empower local partners and community leaders to prevent violent extremism. Secretary of State John Kerry and National Security Advisor Susan Rice steered the various sessions of the day long Ministerial segment of the summit at the State Department.

A joint communique was issued at the conclusion of the summit meeting.

February 19, 2015
Washington D.C.