July 4, 2021
2 mins read

Big Blow To Pak, Turkey As US Puts Them in CSPA List

Inclusion in the US State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons’ list could lead to sanction on military assistance and participation in peacekeeping programmes…reports Asian Lite News

In a move that could attract serious sanctions on Pakistan and Turkey and would certainly impact bilateral relations, the US has added both the countries into its Child Soldiers Prevention Act (CSPA) list.

The designation is included in the US State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report. Inclusion in the list could lead to sanction on military assistance and participation in peacekeeping programmes.

The US CSPA is a list of foreign governments, added in the annual TIP report for being found guilty of recruiting child soldiers during the previous year. Police, armed forces, security forces and government supported armed groups are major entities reviewed before any country is added into the list.

As per details in the TIP report and the 2021 CSPA list, the countries includes:

Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Libya, South Sudan, Syria, Myanmar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Nigeria, Venezuela, and Yemen.

The 2021 list includes Pakistan and Turkey as the new additions while others have been listed for over 10 years.

ALSO READ: Terror financing: Doubts mount over Pakistani diplomats

A child soldier, as defined by the State Department, is “any person under 18 years of age who takes a direct part in hostilities as a member of governmental armed forces, police or other security forces”.

Pakistan’s inclusion into the list is a serious matter of concern for Islamabad as relations with the Biden administration and the Imran Khan led government have not kicked off on a positive path for the moment. President Joe Biden and Khan are yet to speak to each other, even though Pakistan holds key position in the ongoing Afghan peace process.

The US forces are withdrawing from Afghanistan and have asked Pakistan to provide it access to airspace and airbases to operate from, after exiting Afghanistan.

Pakistan on the other hand, has rejected the US demand, stating that it will not indulge in US’s proxy war.

Top military and intelligence officials from US have been visiting Islamabad recently and have had detailed meetings with the Pakistani military establishment.

Experts say that Pakistan’s relations with US are not at the level, where they used to be previously. Pakistan’s influence on the Taliban, as per experts, is also not like it used to be. However, Pakistan still has connections with the Taliban, which makes its value even more important.

It is known that there were recruitment camps established and operating from Pakistan, where young soldiers were recruited to either fight in Afghanistan or become suicide bombers.

Pakistan maintains that no terror group holds any organised presence on its soil, nor it would allow any group to operate from its soil.

ALSO READ: SPECIAL: Woes of Sindh to Shake Pakistan’s Fragile Ecosystem
ALSO READ: TALIBAN RESURRECTION: The Ghost Of Osama Haunts Pakistan

Previous Story

Bagram: The Heart of US Military in Afghanistan

Next Story

China’s Uyghur Persecution Reaches Nearly 30 Countries

Latest from -Top News

Pakistan FM Due in Bangladesh

During his visit Dar will hold discussions with the Foreign Affairs Advisor Towhid Hossain and also call on Muhammad Yunus…reports Asian Lite News Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar

Balochistan: Where the State Makes People Disappear

The victims include students, journalists, and peaceful protesters, many of whom were abducted from cities such as Karachi and Islamabad….reports Asian Lite News A human rights organisation on Monday revealed that 785

Monsoon Havoc in Pakistan

Since June 26, torrential rains have killed at least 299 people—including 140 children—and injured 715 in Pakistan…reports Asian Lite News Since June 26, torrential monsoon rains have devastated Pakistan, killing at least

Bangladesh’s Dark Turn

With the Awami League outlawed and absent from the electoral fray, a vacuum has emerged — one that has not necessarily been filled with stability….reports Asian Lite News Bangladesh’s political landscape has
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Xi to face challenge from followers of Deng Xiaoping?

The absence of any reference to Xi, who starred at

Sikh Pilgrims head to Pak for Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death anniversary

The group departed for Pakistan from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak