Pakistan strongly rejects inclusion in US list of countries implicated in use of child soldiers

Pakistani policemen stand guard outside the Pakistan's Foreign Ministry building in Islamabad on Sept. 2, 2019. (AFP/File)

• The country’s foreign office says it does not support any non-state armed group or any entity recruiting or using child soldiers
• Pakistan has conveyed its concern to the relevant US authorities while pointing out that it will continue 'constructive dialogue' with Washington on vital issues

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday rejected its inclusion in the “Child Soldiers Prevention Act (CSPA) List” published under a domestic US legislation in the State Department’s Annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report 2021 while asking for “credible information” on cases of its involvement in human trafficking or support to armed groups using child soldiers.
In an official handout circulated by the foreign office in Islamabad, the country called such allegations “unsubstantiated and baseless,” saying it did not support any non-state armed group or any entity recruiting or using child soldiers.
“Pakistan’s efforts in fighting non-state armed groups including terrorist entities are well recognized,” the foreign office said. “The inclusion of Pakistan in the “CSPA List” depicts a factual error and lack of understanding. No [Pakistani] state institution was consulted by the US prior to the publication of the report. Nor were any details provided of the basis on which the conclusion was reached.”
The US decision to add Pakistan to its list of countries implicated in the use of child soldiers over the past year can lead to sanctions on military aid and a block on Islamabad participating in peacekeeping programs.
“Governments identified on the list are subject to restrictions, in the following fiscal year, on certain security assistance and commercial licensing of military equipment,” the state department had said in a statement earlier. “The CSPA prohibits assistance to governments that are identified in the list under the following authorities: International Military Education and Training, Foreign Military Financing, Excess Defense Articles, and Peacekeeping Operations, with exceptions for some programs undertaken pursuant to the Peacekeeping Operations authority.”
“Beginning October 1, 2021, and effective throughout Fiscal Year 2022, these restrictions will apply to the listed countries, absent a presidential waiver, applicable exception, or reinstatement of assistance pursuant to the terms of the CSPA,” the State Department had added.
However, Pakistan said it was committed to fighting the scourge of trafficking both at the national and international levels, adding that it had taken a range of legislative and administrative actions in this regard during the last one year.
“Pakistan has been voluntarily submitting information for the TIP Report to the US Government since 2007 and has actively worked on implementing the practicable recommendations of these reports,” the foreign office said, adding that it wanted the relevant US authorities to review “the baseless assertions” made in the latest report.
“Pakistan also expects the sharing of ‘credible information’ on cases involving Trafficking in Persons as well as on allegations pertaining to support to armed groups using child soldiers,” it continued.
The foreign office informed it had conveyed its concern on to the US authorities while saying it would continue to engage with the US “through bilateral channels for constructive dialogue on all issues of mutual interest.”
This is the first time Pakistan has been put on the CSPA list. Other countries on this year’s list include Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Turkey and Yemen.