Shafaqna Pakistan: Pakistan and the United States have reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation and jointly combat militant groups, including ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K), al-Qa’ida (AQ), Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), during the fourth round of the US-Pakistan Counterterrorism Dialogue held in Washington on Tuesday.
In a joint statement released by both governments on Wednesday, the two sides highlighted their shared commitment to the US-Pakistan counterterrorism partnership and reiterated their determination to address evolving regional and global terrorist threats.
The statement said the dialogue was co-chaired by US Coordinator for Counterterrorism Ambassador Gregory LoGerfo and Pakistan’s Special Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Nabeel Munir.
The two delegations “exchanged views on the current threat environment, explored avenues to enhance collaboration, and discussed steps to strengthen border security and disrupt terrorist facilitation networks”, the statement said.
It added that the US and Pakistan affirmed their “joint resolve to confront terrorist organisations that endanger the safety of their citizens and the stability of the region,” specifically naming ISIS-K, AQ, the TTP, and the BLA, along with its affiliates.
According to the statement, both governments also committed to ensuring their counterterrorism cooperation continued “to keep both of their nations safe and secure,” describing the partnership as part of “an enduring vision of regional peace, prosperity, and stability.”
In a separate statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said the two sides had held “extensive deliberations on the regional and global terrorist threat” during the fourth round of the dialogue in Washington.
It said Pakistan and the US pledged to “deepen counterterrorism collaboration both bilaterally and at multilateral fora,” reaffirming their commitment to sustained engagement on security issues.
The statement came amid a sharp peak in terrorist violence in Pakistan in July. During the month, over 112 security personnel were martyred while resisting insurgent forces nationwide. Concurrently, intensified counterterrorism efforts led to the elimination of 401 terrorists.
The surge, alongside a persistent civilian death toll averaging dozens of casualties monthly, underscored relentless cross-border infiltration from the western frontier. Compounding the crisis, hostile actors continued to exploit internal safe havens by collaborating with groups like the TTP and BLA.
Source: Express Tribune
