ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States on Tuesday reaffirmed their shared commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
The vow was made during the latest round of the Pakistan-US Counterterrorism Dialogue, held in Islamabad, according to a joint statement.
The meeting was co-chaired by Pakistan’s Special Secretary for the United Nations Nabeel Munir and US Department of State Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism Gregory D LoGerfo.
The dialogue took place a day after the US State Department listed the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Majeed Brigade as foreign terrorist organisations after a string of deadly assaults claimed by the group.
Both delegations emphasised the critical need for effective strategies to counter terrorist threats, including those posed by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Daesh-Khorasan, and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The US delegation lauded Pakistan’s continued successes in containing terrorist entities that endanger regional and global peace and security.
Washington also expressed condolences over the loss of civilians and law enforcement personnel in recent attacks in Pakistan, including the Jaffar Express train assault and the Khuzdar school bus bombing.
Discussions focused on building stronger institutional frameworks and enhancing capabilities to respond to evolving security threats, including the misuse of emerging technologies for terrorist purposes.
Both sides also reaffirmed their intent to work closely in multilateral forums, including the United Nations, to promote lasting and effective counterterrorism measures.
Reiterating the long-standing partnership between the two countries, the delegations underlined the importance of sustained and structured engagement to counter terrorism and advance peace and stability in the region.
The US Embassy in Islamabad, in its statement, said that the United States has reaffirmed its commitment to countering terrorism in all its forms during a counterterrorism dialogue with Pakistan.
According to the statement, the engagement was aimed at advancing the two countries’ shared resolve to combat what it described as a “global threat”. The embassy underscored that Washington “remains committed” to this cooperation.
Washington had already listed the BLA under the less severe label of specially designated global terrorists, which targets financial resources, before toughening the ban on Monday.
The new step comes as US President Donald Trump increases contact with Pakistan after engagement with Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir.
In March, Pakistani authorities detained and extradited to the United States Sharifullah, who the US says also goes by the name Jafar and is a member of the Daesh-K. President Donald Trump had also thanked Pakistan for his arrest.
The State Department, in response, had also said that United States-Pakistan cooperation on counter-terrorism remains vitally important.
The Daesh operative allegedly helped carry out the 2021 suicide bombing outside Kabul airport during the chaotic US military withdrawal from Afghanistan, which killed at least 170 Afghans as well as 13 US troops who were securing the airport’s perimeter. –Agencies
