Obama orders establishment of new AfPak support office

Concerned over the situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan, United States President Barack Obama has ordered establishment of a new office in the State Department to help the troubled countries 'resist' extremists and contribute to efforts to 'enhance civilian control and stable government' in Islamabad.

Obama on Wednesday issued an executive order regarding establishment of a separate Pakistan and Afghanistan Support Office in the State Department.

The office would be performing the specific project of supporting executive departments and agencies in strengthening governments in the militancy-infested Afghanistan and Pakistan, enhancing the capacity of those governments to resist extremists and maintaining an effective US diplomatic presence in both countries.

In his order, Obama clarified that PASO would be headed by an official of the Director level and was a temporary organisation within the State Department.

The office would support executive departments and agencies in efforts to enhance civilian control and stable constitutional government in Pakistan.

It would work to promote a more capable, accountable and effective government in Afghanistan that serves its people and eventually can function, especially regarding internal security, with limited international support, and to stimulate an economy that will provide licit opportunity for the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan, according to the order.

"The PASO shall be based in Washington, Afghanistan and Pakistan," it said, adding the maximum term of the office would be three years.

Al Qaeda and Taliban have found safe havens along the Pak-Afghan border, from where they have been plotting attacks against targets across the world.