——- Hails Pakistan for aiding in Kabul airport attack terrorist’s arrest
——- PM thanks Trump for recognising Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts
——- Cites the sacrifices made by over 80,000 brave soldiers and civilians in the fight
DM Monitoring
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump expressed gratitude to Pakistan for its role in the arrest of a key terrorist involved in the 2021 Kabul airport bombing, a deadly attack that claimed the lives of 13 American ser-vice members and around 170 Afghan civilians.
Speaking before a joint session of Congress, Trump made the announcement, stating: “Three and a half years ago, a [Daesh] terrorist killed 13 American service members and countless others in the Ab-bey Gate bombing. Tonight, I am pleased to announce that we have just apprehended the top terror-ist responsible for that atrocity. And he is right now on his way here to face the swift sword of Ameri-can justice.”
After revealing the arrest, Trump took a moment to thank the Pakistani government for its coopera-tion in the operation.
“I want to thank, especially, the Pakistani government for helping arrest this monster,” Trump said. “This was a very momentous day for the 13 families I got to know very well, whose children were mur-dered on that fateful day.”
The Abbey Gate bombing occurred in August 2021 during the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan, which Trump once again criticized as a failure of the Biden administration.
“Not that they were withdrawing, but it was the way they withdrew,” Trump remarked. “Perhaps the most embarrassing moment in the history of our country.”
In a significant policy shift, the Trump administration recently approved $397 million for Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jet fleet maintenance, reversing an earlier foreign aid freeze. The funds will be strictly allocated for counter-terrorism operations, with a US-monitored program in place to prevent use against India, according to a Reuters report.
Despite an executive order halting overseas funding, the US has granted approximately $5.3 billion in security-related exemptions, with Pakistan’s allocation being one of 243 exceptions.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation with US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, sources disclosed.
The Foreign Office spokesperson stated that the US advisor conveyed President Donald Trump’s appreciation for Pakistan’s efforts in combating terrorism. Foreign Minister Dar congratulated Waltz on assuming office and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its broad-based relations with the United States under the Trump administration.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s dedication to counterterrorism cooperation with the US, Dar also welcomed President Trump’s decision to retrieve American military equipment left behind in Afghanistan.
Both sides expressed their resolve to enhance collaboration in the fields of information technology, energy, and minerals.
Additionally, they agreed to continue discussions on trade, investment, climate change, and health as part of a broader agenda in the coming days.
