VOA常速英语:U.S. Aids Pakistan Law Enforcement

On December 13, U.S. Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State David Ranz handed over eleven armored personnel carriers, also known as APCs, worth over 280 million rupees [$2.7 million USD] to the Islamabad Capital Territory Police, or ICTP, the Frontier Constabulary, and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police.

The delivery underscores the U.S. government's commitment to working with Pakistan to improve security for the Pakistani people.

American company Lenco built the vehicles, which are able to maneuver in remote and difficult terrains, helping civilian security forces prevent and respond to crime, terrorism, and militancy. APCs are critical in improving police operational capacity and saving officers' lives as they respond to threats from armed groups, including terrorists, militants, and narco-traffickers. Across Pakistan, these groups target police officers. According to the National Police Bureau, almost 6,500 security officials died in the line of duty in Pakistan.

The U.S. State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, or INL, which funded the acquisition of the APCs, works in more than 90 countries to help combat crime and corruption; counter the narcotics trade; improve police institutions; and promote court systems that are fair and accountable.

INL has provided extensive support to the law enforcement, justice, and corrections sectors across Pakistan since the 1980s. It supports Pakistani efforts to build the human and institutional capacity of civilian law enforcement; to counter the production, trafficking, and use of illicit narcotics; to enhance the rule of law and access to justice; to support a safer, more secure, humane, and transparent corrections system; and to achieve gender equality throughout the criminal justice sector.

“The Pakistani police make sacrifices every day to keep their communities safe,” said Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Ranz. “Both in the United States and Pakistan, we depend on the police to protect our people, and we will continue to stand together with the people of Pakistan in the fight against terrorism and in our commitment to security and rule of law in Pakistan.”